The ultimatum tree

The ultimatum tree
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Photo Supplied by Springbok9

By Christopher Munnion in Johannesburg
Published: 12:01AM BST 16 Jul 2004
Vandals have destroyed one of Africa's most historic trees: the Ultimatum Tree.
It was under the sycamore fig beside the Tugela river in KwaZulu-Natal that the British delivered an ultimatum to the Zulus in the 19th century.
The national heritage site and popular tourist attraction was burned to a blackened stump.
Beneath the tree's shady branches, J W Shepstone, the British secretary of native affairs, handed what was later acknowledged to be an unfairly harsh ultimatum to Zulu delegates sent by King Cetshwayo in the summer of 1878.
The conditions were rejected, leading to the Anglo-Zulu wars, British defeat at Islandlwana, the heroism at Rorke's Drift and British victory at Ulundi.
James van Vuuren, of the Amafa heritage group, said: "Some people desecrate the graves of British soldiers in the mistaken belief that they contain valuables but this is senseless vandalism."

Under The Ultimatum Tree
Ultimatum was given to the Zulu's on the banks of the Tugela on 11th December 1878.

1. Mhlokazulu and Bekuzulu (sons of Sirayo) who had violated Natal territory be surrendered for trial and a fine of 500 head of cattle be paid.
2. Ane of 100 head be paid for the outrage on the surveyor(Smith) and 500 for contempt of the demand that criminals be given up.
3. Umbuleni and his associates should be surrendered.
4. The Zulu army be disbanded and only mobilized with the permission of the great council and the British government.
5. Every Zulu on arriving at manhood be free to marry.
6. The administration be reformed and accused persons be given a fair trial.
7. British Resident be received at the Zulu Royal Kraal.
8. Missionaries and native converts be allowed to return to the mission stations.
9. If a missionary or other Europeans be involved in a dispute, they should not be expelled from Zululand without the consent of the proposed British resident.

hi springbok9 and ken.
Can you tell me if there are still crocodiles in the tugela river ?, and have there ever been crocs in the buffalo river ?.
Just out of interest were there many rivers in zululand that were inhabited by crocs or hippo"s.
cheers 90th.

90th

Ken is probably more able to comment being a local, I'm from the deep south. But in general most of the rivers in KZN and the Lowveld area were crock infested. Slightly further north there are still many crocks and hippos.

The Richards Bay area is rich in historical and cultural significance. The Richards Bay Game Sanctuary (1'200Ha), established in 1935 around the lagoon, is home to water birds, crocodiles and sharks. A crocodile of 7m was once killed here by John Dunn.

I usually only peruse the General Discussion section but came across your enquiry about crocodiles in the uThukela and Mzinyathi (Buffalo) Rivers.
Crocodiles have been seen on the uThukela / Tugela as high upstream as Colenso. In fact, there was once a notice warning people to beware of them but it appears to have disappeared. Several farmers in the Chieveley area have discovered crocodiles in their farm dams and if the Ezemvelo/KZN Wildlife authorities haven't been able to capture them, they have unfortunately had to be destroyed. These have evidently moved up the tributaries such as the Bloukrans River from the Colenso area.
I occasionally camp on a farm named 'Darkest Africa' at Nkasini (near Weenen) on the Bushmans River and several crocodiles have been seen there. There are some at the confluence of the uThukela/Tugela and the Bushmans Rivers.
Some farmer friends in the Mandini area have told me that they have seen these animals in the river.
Furthermore, at least two fairly large specimens have been often been seen in the Mngeni / Umgeni River just upstream from the Blue Lagoon in Durban!
The first casualty of the Anglo-Zulu War was reportedly Midshipman Martin, who fell off the pontoon below Fort Pearson and was taken by a crocodile.
Last week, a friend of ours who is based in the Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Park was attacked by one and barely escaped with his life. His wife, Kerrin (who is 5 months pregnant) was alongside him (he was attacked while standing on a rock) and fortunately was able to win the tug-of-war. The crocodile had grabbed Lawrence by the one leg and when he kicked with the other, it grabbed that as well. He is in hospital at the moment.
So, to answer your question, there are crocodiles in the Mngeni / Umgeni, Bushmans, Mzinyathi/Buffalo and uThukelaTugela Rivers.
Regards,
Ken

hi Ken.
Thanks very much for the reply , I hope your friend comes through , as I imagine infection will be the main concern .
Are there any Hippos in the above mentioned rivers , I believe they account for more deaths and injuries per year
than snakes , is this still correct ?.
cheers 90th.

Good morning, 90th.
Most of the Hippos outside of the Game Reserves have been shot out in KwaZulu-Natal although several pods may be seen in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, especially in the Jozini - Ndumu area and, of course, at St Lucia Estuary.
I am not aware of any in the uThukela, Mzinyathi and Bushmans Rivers.
You are quite correct regarding the statistics; Hippos are responsible for most deaths in Africa and the Puffadder causes more deaths than any other snake (so I am told). This is because it tends to be trodden on!
Regards,
Ken

Ultimatum to Cetshwayo Zulu War[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Admin wrote:

The ultimatum tree
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Photo Supplied by Springbok9

Hi Springbok9
What a shameful act when was the photo taken mate and what year did this vandalism happen

Hi Aussie
Blame it on Nature Im afraid. Around 1984 Hurricane Demona hit Natal dumping over 2 feet of rain. The Tugela flooded something like double the 100 year floodline. The tree was under water for quite a period and that damaged it really badly. This photo was taken very shorty after that, look at the river and see how its spread over its banks in to the sugar cane plantations. The road bridge just a little way inland was washed away completely and the only way into coastal Zululand was by driving up stream and using the railway bridge. I was in Zululand at the time it hit and got hammered by the Ngwebeni crossing into iSandlwana, no decent crossing in those days. The dirt road from the Nqutu Babanango road up to the village of iSandlwana was virtually impassable, as was much of Zululand.

Cheers

Ken Gillings wrote:

I usually only peruse the General Discussion section but came across your enquiry about crocodiles in the uThukela and Mzinyathi (Buffalo) Rivers.
Crocodiles have been seen on the uThukela / Tugela as high upstream as Colenso...

This reminds me of the scene I think Harford recounts of the Zulu companies forming two chains of bodies to set off a safe channel between while crossing the Buffalo.  They hummed as a way to warn off the crocs and other potential assailants.  Relating the story once I was told it was nonsense because there were no such animals in the area.  I hadn't any specific information at the time to counter the claim, but now I do.  Thanks!