Dundee

On the way back from the Drakensbergs we stopped off in Dundee to visit the Zulu battlefields of Isandlwana and Rourke's Drift.

We had a brilliant guide who made it all come alive for us, he was a great storyteller and gave us all the historical facts and figures. He described the battles and what everyone was doing on that infamous day.

He asked if we had all seen the Michael Cain movie, Zulu, to which we answered, a long time ago.

OK he said, I did not want you to start with any preconceived misinformation.

He went on to describe the absolute disaster of Isandlwana and the badly mismanaged defence by the British. Instead of holding their post they tried to fight the Zulu on their own terms in the open field, then the back up troops never arrived as they had gone off on a scouting party.

It ended up in a massacre. Zulus one Brits Nil.

Next morning the few remaining Zulu tried unsuccessfully to attack Rourkes Drift, this time with many fewer warriors as most had gone home for tea.

The Brits stayed put and fought a set piece defence and narrowly beat off the Natives.

What became apparent was the fact that the Zulu were only trying to get back their Farmland which had been stolen from them by the whites. Before the Europeans took over their lands they were peaceful farmers.

Another Triumph for our Greed.

Very sad to see what can happen and is still happening.

 

 

The Cairns mark burial sites.

 

 

 Zulu memorial.

 

 

 Brit Memorial

 

 

 Last two Zulu memorials.