NOVEMBER 1987 NEWSLETTER

LAST MEETING - JOHANNESBURG - OCTOBER 8TH 1987

This month's Metro Goldwyn Hall short dealt with the recent visit to places of interest in the Rustenburg district. Those present on the trip sat with bated breath, expecting, at any moment, to have their misdemeanours exposed. Fortunately, on this occasion, Darrell was diverted by the beauty of the local flora so members escaped lightly. The tour included visits to the Conradie and Van Velden residences (both having Boer War associations), the Rustenburg Museum, the N.G. Kerk, the old jail and the old Rustenburg cemetery. The following day included visits to the battlefield sites of Eland's River and Moedwil.

Cmdt "S.B." Bourquin was the main speaker for the evenlng - his subject, "Shaka's Heritage".

Shaka left the Zulu people a very rich heritage. He built up one of the minor Nguni clans into what became the Zulu Empire. After a difficult childhood Shaka succeeded to the Zulu throne after the death of his father, Senzangakona. In order to succeed with his expansionist policies a strong efficient army would have to be formed. This was achieved by rigourous training in the use of the new stabbing assegais and war shields that were developed by Shaka. Organisation was greatly improved with the formation of different regiments - each one distinguished by its own regimental uniform. A devastating battle tactic was developed utilisinq 4 tactical units. The "chest" was the main body that engaged the enemy and held it fast whilst the "horns" rapidly outflanked the enemy, surrounded him and then worked back towards the centre. A general reserve, the "loins", was left in support. The neighbouring clans were quickly and easily engulfed by the Zulu War machine. The powerful Ndwandwe under Zwide were however only defeated after a bloody battle at Gqokli Hill. This time, known as the Mfecane, was a time of great turmoil in south east Africa. Numerous tribes were on the move fleeing or invading, and sometimes both. In the midst of this chaos the Zulu became a strong united nation.

"S.B." then provided a brief but elucidating account of Zulu history through the reigns of Dingane, Mpande and Cetshwayo. Despite defeat at the hands of the Voortrekkers following the murder of Piet Retief and the conquest of Zululand by the British during the Zulu War the unity forged by Shaka survived. This unity also survived the post war partition of Zululand into numerous petty kingdoms and the Bambatha Rebellion.

The lecture was enhanced by the interesting slides and the unique selection of Zulu artifacts that "S.B." brought with him. The latter included carved walking sticks that had belonged to several of the Zulu kings and assegais that had been used by the Zulu at Isandhlwana and Kambula.

Doctor Felix Machanik thanked the Speaker on behalf of the Society for his expert presentation and fascinating slides.

Presentation of Plaque.

At the recent Society braai the S.A. National Museum of Military History kindly presented the Society with a fine plaque on the occassion[sic] of the Society's 21st anniversary.

Future Meetings

Johannesburg

- November 12th - Cmdt. O.E.F. Baker and Others - "Sidi Rezegh Memories".

- December 10th - Major Darrell Hall - A series of 4 slide shows dealing with visits to Duxford R.A.F. Station, H.M.S. Belfast and thp 25th Anniversary of the Commando Gunnprs. The 4th item comprises the story of WWI in songs and pictures.

The venue for the Johannesburg meetings is the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

Durban

- November 19th - Major Darrell Hall - Illustrated slide talk about 1820 Settler, William Corey.

Cape Town

- November 9th - Professor Peter Beighton - "The Congo Crisis: 1960".

Publications.

An exhaustive survey of the battle sites of the Battle of the Somme has recently been published. "When the Barrage Lifts", written by Gerald Glidden, provides a short history of each town, village and wood associated with this, the most tumultuous military engagement of the Great War. This book is available from Uys Publishers, P.O. Box nnnn, Germiston, 1400. The price is R79.50.

S T Stiles