PAST EVENTS

"Shaka' s Heritage was the title of an illustrated talk presented by our own Chairman, 'SB', at our January meeting. This was not a talk about Shaka as such, but about the empire he built, the conditions he created and the assets he left when he died. A series of maps and illustrations showed how he expanded a nucleus of 1 200 souls of the Zulu clan, occupying some 160 square kilometres, to become the most powerful black nation southern Africa has ever seen. His kingdom stretched from the Tugela to the Pongolo, but his authority and control extended for many hundred kilometres beyond. Within the short period of twelve years he built a nation and imbued it with a spirit which has survived the worst disasters which can befall any nation and which is strong and growing even today, some 160 years later.

In the process he waged many bloody wars, which caused the massive disturbance and migration of hundreds of clans and the redrawing of the population distribution map of southern Africa. The dreaded mfecane was an event of far greater magnitude than even the Great Trek. As a matter of fact, Shaka not only provided white settlers with a bridgehead and a gateway into Natal, the mfecane, of which he was the originator, later made it possible for the Great Trek to follow the course it did and for the Boer republics of the Orange Free state and the Transvaal to become established. Shaka was assassinated in 1828.

His first heir, Dingane, subsequently gave away the whole of Natal, destroyed the goodwill between whites and blacks, leading to the battle of Blood River. He was overthrown by Mpande who had sought the military assistance of the Boers and in return gave them nearly half of the Zulu kingdom which he had now inherited as heir No.2. Mpande's son, Cetshwayo, became heir No.3. He was forced into a war with Britain in 1879 and, on being defeated, lost his crown and much of his territory. He died soon after his return from exile, in 1884. His son and heir No. 4 became involved in a civil war and sought the military assistance of the Boers in return for which he gave to the Boers another sizeable portion of what had remained of the old Zululand of Shaka. He was subsequently exiled for ten years and what was left of Zululand was annexed by Britain. There was now no more land which could be given away. The Zulus were restricted to some tribal areas or else lived as labourers on white farms; but the house of Zulu and the spirit of Shaka lived on through a succession of heirs, who, though uncrowned, were regarded by the Zulu as their kings, until in our times the consolidation of KwaZulu and the establishment of a KwaZulu Legislative Assembly has provided a basis on which the Zulu can build to regain their full nattionhood.

Fellow-member Justin Hulme expressed a sincere word of thanks to the speaker for an expert presentation delivered with understanding and sympathy.

FUTURE EVENTS

February 11th          As this year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Independence of Israel our "guest" speaker will be fellow-member VIC CONRAD who will be addressing us on "THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL" (Illustrated with some slides of places of interest).

March 17th nbsp;       Fellow-member Darrell Hall will give a slide presentation on "The Battle of the Coral Sea". (N.B. This meeting will take place on the third Thursday in March).

April 14th         Fellow-member Justin Hulme will talk about his recently edited book which contains a provisional list of the officers of the irregular forces involved in the Eighth Kaffir War (1850-53). Some copies of the book are still available from Adams, the booksellers; and Justin will be happy to sign copies for collectors of South African Militaria.

The venue for all meetings will be the 'Bourq Inn', lower ground floor, 'SB' Bourquin Building, on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville, on the second Thursday in the month (unless otherwise announced), commencing at 19h30 (7.30 p.m.) PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN GLASS and canned or bottled refreshments. Ice and water jugs will be supplied. There is ample parking, under guard, in the grounds. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.

(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv