The Battlefields - Legends of the Zulu Kingdom

Dundee Battles and sites

zoom Battle of Talana reenactment - 1999

Talana Battlefield:
This battle was fought on 20 October 1899 just outside Dundee. It was the scene of the first battle between the British and Boers during the Anglo-Boer war of 1899 to 1902. The British managed to drive the Boers off Talana Hill, but suffered heavy losses and their commanding officer, General Penn Symons, was mortally wounded in the engagement.

As evermore Boers gathered around Dundee, General Symons successor General Yule, decided to retire to Ladysmith. The Boer forces then occupied the town for seven months, renaming it Meyersdorp. Dundee was relieved after the Battle of Helpmekaar in May 1900.

Thornley Farm:
On the reverse slopes of Talana Hill. Boer forces headquarters, hospital and mortuary during the Battle of Talana. Restored buildings are on a private farm. Visitors welcome.

Valley of the Cannibals:
Exceptionally scenic valleys from Rorke's Drift via Elandskraal to Helpmekaar. In the early 1800's tribes fleeing from the emerging Zulu nation took refuge in the hills, and turned to cannibalism for survival. Guided tours to Cannibal Caves, Rock and Pantry. Tel: Paul Garner: (034) 212 1931.

For more information on the above sites or the sites that follow, contact Tourism Dundee.

zoom A Voortrekker Laager,cast in bronze commerates the famous Battle of Blood River on the 16 December 1838 when 460 Voortrekkers defeated a 15 000 strong Zulu army.

Other Battlefields and related attractions near Dundee


Blood River/ Ncome Battlefield:
This famous battle was fought on 16 December 1838. The Boers under Andries Pretorius defeated Dingane's Zulu army. A replica of the Boer laager can be found on the site, as well as a memorial(Ncome Museum) to the Zulu impi who fought bravely during this battle. This site is 48km from Dundee - off the R33 between Dundee and Vryheid. For more information please phone(034)6321695 or the Ncome Museum (034) 2718121. You can also visit the Voortrekker Monument website http://www.voortrekkermon.org.za the custodians of the Battle of Bloodriver Heritage site.

Elandslaagte Battlefield:
The battle of Elandslaagte was fought between Boer and Brit on the 21 October 1899. The village and railway station were thereafter abandoned by the British forces, after they had fought the battle to re-open the railway line for the retreat of the British forces from Dundee to Ladysmith.

The turnoff to this site is on the R602 between Glencoe and Ladysmith. The site is 3 kms east of Elandslaagte Station, amongst a horseshoe-shaped series of low hills. For more information phone (034) 2122121.

Fugitives Drift:
On this lonely hillside the two men who were responsible for saving the Queen's Colour from the Isandlwana camp were killed are buried. The site is located 15 km beyond Rorke's Drift. The Fugitive Trail follows the route along which the handful of survivors fled from Isandlwana to Fugitives Drift.

Helpmekaar:
Site of the British camp during Anglo-Zulu War. Here the Queen's Colour, recovered from the Buffalo River, was returned to the regiment. The cemetery is a stark reminder of the loss of life in war. Helpmekaar was also the breakthrough battle by General Buller in May 190, to recapture Dundee. Remains of Boer fortifications on the hilltop. Tour guides are available.

zoom Memorial(Ncome Museum) to the Zulu impi who fought bravely at the Battle of Blood River.

Isandlwana Battlefield:
At Isandlwana Hill, a British force of some 1700 men was virtually wiped out by a Zulu army of over 20 000 men under the command of Ntshingwayo Khoza and Mavumengwana Ntuli.

Lord Chelmsford's Centre Column had camped at the base of Isandlwana on the night of 21 January 1879. During the early hours of 22 January, Chelmsford lead a force of men eastward to reinforce a small reconnaissance party, leaving the rest of the column under Col. H. B. Pulleine in camp. At about 10.30am Col. A. Dunford, in response to Chelmsford's order, arrived from Rorke's Drift. Reports had been received that a Zulu force had been spotted on the Nquthu heights. Anxious that this force should not threaten Chelmsford's party to the east, Durnford left camp with about 140 men and rode north to cut off the Zulus. A patrol under Capt. George Shepstone was sent to clear the area to the north of camp of any Zulu forces. At about midday this patrol, in pursuit of a small Zulu party accidentally stumbled upon the main Zulu force which was concealed in a valley a few kilometres north of Isandlwana. Having lost the element of surprise, the Zulu commanders decided to attack and formed their warriors into the traditional 'chest and horns' formation while advancing on the British camp. The right horn swept around to the north and west, while the left horn engaged a forward position under Col. Durnford, who was for a while able to hold his position. The Zulus soon overran this position forcing a retreat. At the same time the 'chest' of the Zulu army was engaging the main British firing line, while the right horn was out-flanking the west of the camp eventually blocking the escape to Rorke's Drift. The battle was at its most intense at about 2.00pm, and a partial eclipse of the sun at about this time made the situation even gloomier. The camp was overrun, but small pockets of British resistance continued until later in the afternoon. By sunset the battle was over and 1000 Zulus and 1357 British were dead. Chelmsford returned to find devastation, and camped among the dead that night, leaving the next morning. The Zulus buried their dead in maize pits and dongas while the British returned some months later to bury their dead.

zoom Memorial to the Zulu fallen, Isandlwana.

The Zulu regiments who fought at Isandlwana were: Right Horn: uDududu, iMbube, iSangqu and uNokhenke regiments. The Chest: uMcijo and uMxhapho regiments. The Left Horn: uMbonambi, iNgobamakhosi and uVe regiments. Regiments who were in reserve were the Indluyengwe, uThulwana, uDloko and iNdlondlo regiments.

The typical Zulu warrior was clad in a simple leather loin cover, and carried two or three throwing spears and/or a stabbing spear. A wooden knobkierie as well as a battle shield would also have been carried. Men of rank would have carried battleaxes. In addition to using traditional weapons, the Zulu army also had about 20 000 firearms, mostly muzzle-loaders.

The British forces involved at the battle consisted of A, C, E, F & H Companies 1/24th Regt, G Company 2/14th Regt., N Battery 5th Brigade, No 1 Mounted Infantry, Natal Mounted Police, Natal Volunteer Corps (Natal Carbineers, Newcastle Mounted Rifles, Buffalo Border Guard), 2 companies, 1/3rd Natal Native Horse, 2 companies 2/3 NBC, 11/7th RA Native Horse (No's 1,2,3 Troops, Zikhali's Horse, Hlubi Troop, Edendale Troop, D & E Companies 1st NNC): a total of 1770 men. There were also 102 wagons and 1000 draught oxen, as well as cooks, grooms and boy recruits. The British army carried Martini Henry breech- loading rifles weighing about 4kg and firing a.450 calibre lead bullet of 480 grains, effective to 400 yards. A bayonet was carried and each man was supplied with 70 rounds of ammunition.

White cairns mark the positions of buried British soldiers. 80km from Dundee. Open daily. Entrance fee. Interpretation centre. Toilets. Tel: (034) 271 0634. More detailed article ... http://battlefields.kzn.org.za/battlefields/about/193.xml .

Rorkes Drift Battlefield & Museum
- Map -

Some 100 British soldiers defended this position against 4 000 Zulu warriors in a 12 hour engagement.

A few survivors of Isandlwana did reach Rorke's Drift, and the alarm was sounded at about 15:15. After some discussion, the officers decided to stay and defend the post. Bags of maize were taken from the army store and built up into a breatswork, forming a defensive square between the hospital and the storehouse. At a later stage biscuit boxes were used to reduce the perimeter in case of need.

The Zulu army advanced from the back of Shiyane hill, round the western side. At this point the Natal Native Contingent detachment stationed at Rorke's Drift fled. The first major attack was launched by the Zulus on the southern wall of maize bags at about 16:30, but they were beaten off with intense rifle fire. The second major assault was on the hospital defences when the Zulus went round the western flank and attacked the 'front' wall. The thatched hospital roof was set alight.

At this point the British defenders in the hospital were desperately attempting to evacuate the patients, while at the same time trying to repel the Zulus. The task was made difficult by the lack of interleading doors and the need to chop holes in the walls between adjacent rooms.

All the while the Zulus kept up their assaults on the fragile fortifications outside, but were beaten back time after time with heavy losses. Most of the fighting as hand-to-hand, but a number of British casualties were inflicted by Zulu snipers on the slopes of Shiyane Hill.

zoom Rorkes Drift Museum the site of the hospital where the famous battle took place.

Eventually the hospital was evacuated, with a number of British losses, and the survivors fell back behind the wall of biscuit boxes. By now it was nearly dark, with the battlefield lit by the blazing hospital roof.

The Zulus continued attacking with diminishing intensity throughout the night, until sheer exhaustion and desperation made them break off at about 04:00. The British defenders, most of whom were hurt to a greater or lesser degree, had a welcome respite. They remained at their posts in the dim light of dawn, expecting a renewal of the attack after the Zulus has regrouped. Final relief only came with the sight of Chelmsford's party approaching the river about three hours later.

A record number of 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders. 42km from Dundee. Open daily. Coffee shop and Interpretation centre. Museum on site. Entrance fee. Tel: (034) 642 1687. More detailed article .... http://battlefields.kzn.org.za/battlefields/about/192.xml

zoom Boswell's Building

Dundee's Buildings, Monuments & Memorials

A.G.S. Church:
Consecrated as a Methodist Church in 1889, it served as a hospital and dressing station during the Anglo-Boer War.

Boswells Building:
A national monument. Erected as the Biggarsberg Unity Lodge in 1898. Unique architecturally and historically. Last remaining pre- 1900 theatre in the province.

Cenotaph
Memorial to those who fell in two old wars. Stands in Victoria Street, adjacent to Civic Centre.

Cottage Hospital:
Built as a cottage hospital, it was used as a military hospital during the Battle of Talana.

zoom Dutch Reformed Church - Dundee

Dutch Reformed Church:
Designed by Gerard Moerdyk and completed in 1922. On the clock tower is an impressive Anton Von Wouw sculpture and plaque commemorating the Boers who fell in the Battle of Talana.






Hindu Temple:
Established in 1910. Mahatma Gandhi worshipped here in 1914, during his campaign of Passive Resistance. Two popular festivals are Kavady Procession (Jan/Feb) and Fire Walking Ceremony (July/Aug).

zoom The 'Old' Courthouse where Ghandi was tried for initiating the 1913 protest march in Northern KZN.

Magistrates Courts:
Opened 1905. Only building in South Africa bearing the royal crest of King Edward VII. Here Mohandas Gandhi was tried and sentenced.






Mahyeno Mission:
Formerly the Betania Mission, Church and printing shop. It was a Swedish Lutheran Church. Used as a military hospital during the Battle of Talana. The church is a national monument.

Maria Ratschitz Mission:
Built by Trappist monks at the end of the 19th century. The order experienced a series of secular obstacles from the mid- 1930s. in recent years it stood abandoned, but is being restored. Since 1991 a renewal of development at the mission has resulted in a remarkable cluster of 14 beautiful building in a dramatic setting at the base of the Hlatikulu mountain. The cathedral-like church has magnificent decorated walls.

zoom Dundee Police Station

Police Station
Ghandi was charged here for his role in the 1913 protest march in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.

zoom Prince Imperial Monument

Prince Imperial Memorial:
Louis Napoleon, exiled heir to the Bonaparte throne had been resident in England and had graduated from the Royal Military College in 1875. With the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, Prince Louis, keen to gain military experience requested that he be permitted to travel to South Africa. The British government was not enthusiastic, but nonetheless permission was granted. The Prince landed in Durban on 31 March 1879. He then spent some time in Pietermaritzburg, where he lived in Government House in Longmarket Street. He attended mass in the Catholic chapel, St Mary's in Loop Street. The Prince also visited the hotel in Loop Street, which subsequently bore his name: Hotel Imperial. Towards the end of April 1879 he left Pietermaritzburg from Fort Napier, to join the British forces at Dundee. The Prince held no rank and was officially merely an observer. During the period leading up to the second invasion of Zululand he was permitted to accompany a number of patrols. The Prince was then placed under Colonel Richard Harrison, the Second Division's Assistant Quarter Master General.

On 31 May 1879 the Prince requested permission from Harrison to scout ahead of he column in the vicinity of Fort Newdigate. This was granted, provided that an escort accompany him. Lieutenant J.B. Carey of the 98th Regiment, and a friend of the Prince, was given permission to accompany him.

On the morning of 1 June 1879 the party consisting of The Prince, Carey and a number of mounted soldiers left camp. They were ordered to collect the remainder of their escort from the patrols that they passed, which they failed to do as none were encountered. At noon they had reached a hill known as Mabulawayo. Here they halted for a while before making their way down to a deserted homestead about 250 metres from the Jojosi River and some 175 metres from a donga joining a river.

Here the party stopped for coffee. A Zulu guide reported that a Zulu warrior had been seen in the vicinity. As the party remounted, a volley rang out from the nearby mielie fields and a party of Zulu warriors charged the group. The Prince's horse, Percy, shied and bolted. The Prince, although a fine horseman was unable to vault the horse, and ran at its side for a while before falling and being trampled. The Prince drew his revolver and turned to face the attackers, whilst retreating down the bank of the donga. Here he was overrun and died from 17 stabbed wounds. After the war, Zulus who took part in the attack were interviewed and praised the Prince's bravery, claiming that he had fought like a lion.

Subsequent events: On 2 June 1879 the Prince's body along with those of Troopers Rogers and Abel were recovered. A funeral service was held that day. Later his body was transported to Pietermaritzburg, where it lay in state in St Mary's on the night of the 8 June 1879. A solemn requiem mass was held on 9 June before his embalmed body was transported to England. The Prince was buried at Chiselhurst, but was later exhumed and reburied along with Napoleon III at Farnborough.

Lieutenant Carey's military career suffered as a result of the incident. He was found guilty of deserting the Prince in the face of the enemy and was relieved of his duties and returned to England. Carey however persisted in trying to clear his name and the findings of the court were overturned. He returned to his regiment, but died of peritonitis three years later.

Before British troops left Zululand, a notice was erected at the site of the Prince's death. Queen Victoria ordered a memorial cross to be placed at the site. A year after the incident, on 1 June 1880, Empress Eugine visited the site. She also met with Zabanga, a Zulu who had been involved in the attack. He told her that had they known the identity of Prince, he would not have been killed. Early this century trees were planted and the surrounded wall was built. The site was declared a Monument in 1937.

The site is an hour's drive from Dundee Publicity Association. Open daily.

A special route, the Route Du Prince Imperial, Louis Napoleon has been developed to mark the route that was followed by the Prince while he was in KwaZulu-Natal. The route also pays homage to the pilgrimage journey of the Prince's mother Empress Eugenie, who came here in 1880 to follow in the footsteps of her son.

zoom St James Anglican Church, with the grave of Gen. Penn-Symons in the foreground.

Gladstone Street Mosque:
Built in 1902 by architects from India. The unique structure underwent extensive renovations in 1982. Accommodates up to 2 000 worshippers. Visitors welcome. The adjoining Madressa School offers Islamic education.

The Mews:
This complex of small, intimate shops was the original Williams Hygenic Bakery. Original buildings and roof line have been preserved.



Pro Nobis - Holy Rosary Convent:
Roman Catholic convent erected in 1917 on 18 acres of land. Today it is a school for physically and mentally handicapped children and a teaching centre.

Trinity Presbyterian Church:
The Roll of Honour inside the church lists men who fell during the First World War.

St James Anglican Church:
Erected in 1898, it houses plaques listing men who died in the Anglo- Boer War battles in the region. A number of graves in the church- yard, including Gen. Penn Symons (British commanding officer at the Battle of Talana) and Lt Hannah, first man killed by Long Tom Shell.

Fort Pine
Built by Royal Engineers in 1878, as a haven for the civilian population. Contact the Talana Museum to arrange access. Tel: (034) 212 2654.

Please contact Tourism Dundee if you require more information.

zoom The Moth Shellhole Museum

Dundee Museums

MOTH Museum:
The MOTH (Memorable Order of Tin Hats) is an organisation of ex- servicemen started in South Africa shortly after Great War. The museum in the Indumeni/Isandlwana. Shellhole is a unique collection of military memorabilia dating from the Anglo-Zulu war to the present. One of the best private collections. Open on request. Tel: (034) 212 1250.


The Talana Museum
A KZN registered tourism establishment
The Talana Museum is situated in parklike surroundings on a portion of the battlefield of Talana, where on 20 October 1899, the first battle of the Anglo-Boer War took place. The word Talana is Zulu for little shelf and describes the flat topped hill on which the fighting took place. At this battle the British wore khaki for the first time. The buildings from the time of the battle still exist and a cemetery is one of the exhibits. The original Scottish homestead of the founder of Dundee, Peter Smith, has been restored and furnished as it was in his lifetime. Talana House, the home built by his son in 1894, houses excellent displays of the earliest inhabitants of the area, the Voortrekkers, the Anglo-Zulu War and Anglo-Boer Wars; while the red-brick Henderson Hall contains the breathtaking Consol Glass Collection, the evocative Chamber of Mines Coal Museum, the Iscor Hall Mining, and the Brick Heritage display.

The Miners Rest is a typical coalminers' home of the 1920s and was relocated to the museum from the nearby Ballengeich colliery. This houses the restaurant and curio shop where visitors can buy locally produced craft, curios and souvenirs.

Plan to spend a few hours to view the museum, stroll through the historic rose garden and take a cream tea or lunch in the Miners Rest tea room. Tel: (034) 212 1704.

There is a modern conference facility in a recently completed wing of the museum. Plan to spend a few hours viewing the museum then enjoy a cream tea or delicious lunch at the Miners Rest Tea Shoppe.

Talana Museum is open Monday - Friday: 08h00 - 16h30. Saturday: 10h00 - 16h30 and Sunday: 10h00 - 16h30. Arrangements can be made with the curator for guided tours of the museum and surrounding battlefields. Tel: (034) 212 2654 or Fax: (034) 212 2376. Walk and talk tapes of major battlefields are available

For more information please visit the Talana Museum website

zoom ELC Craft Centre Rorkes Drift.

Other Dundee Cultural Attractions & Crafts

Baskets from Africa:
Cnr Beaconsfield & Gladstone Str. Made with natural products. Baskets are crafted by Zulu women. Use of natural materials - grasses, barks, twigs and other plant material - has created an environmentally aware local work force. Tel: 034-212 4171.

Bushman (San) Paintings:
The San people lived in this area 2 000 - 4 000 years ago. Evidence of their life here is found on rock shelters and in caves. Tourist guides are available.

Diggers Den:
Battlefields and Zulu curios.

Iron Age Smelting Site:
I In the Dundee area. Visits can be arranged.


ELC Craft Centre:
See how cloth is dyed, pots thrown and glazed, carpets woven. Sited at Rorke's Drift Battlefield. Open daily.

Mlaba Curios:
Battlefields and Zulu Curios

More information can be obtained from Tourism Dundee.

Copyright © Tourism KwaZulu-Natal