Cetshwayo kaMpande

Cetshwayo kaMpande 1826 – 8 February 1884) was the king of the Zulu nation from 1872 to 1879 and their leader during the Zulu War. His name has also been transliterated as Cetawayo, Cetewayo, Cetywajo and Ketchwayo.
Cetshwayo was born a son of Zulu king Mpande, who was a half-brother of Zulu king Shaka. In 1856 he defeated and killed in battle his younger brother Mbuyazi, Mpande's favourite, and became the effective ruler of the Zulu people. However, he did not really ascend to the throne because his father was still alive.
His other brother Umtonga was still a potential rival and he knew it. In 1861 Umtonga fled to the Boers' side of the border and Cetshwayo had to make deals with the Boers to get him back. In 1865 Umtonga did the same thing and apparently made Cetshwayo think that Umtonga could try to replace him the way his father had replaced his predecessor Dingane.
Mapande died in 1873 and Cetshwayo became king on 1 September. Theophilus Shepstone, present at Cetshwayo's coronation, turned on the Zulus as he felt he was underminded by Cetshwayo's skillful negotiating for land area compromised by encroaching Boers. As was customary he created a new capital for the nation and called it Ulundi (the high place). He expanded his army and readopted many methods of Shaka. He also equipped his impis with muskets. He banished European missionaries from his land. He might have incited other native African peoples to rebel against Boers in Transvaal.
In 1878 Sir Henry Bartle Frere, British Commissioner for South Africa, began to demand reparations for border infractions. They mainly angered Cetshwayo who kept his calm until Frere demanded that he should effectively disband his army. His refusal led to the Zulu War in 1879. After initial defeats, such as the Battle of Isandlwana, the British eventually began to gain victories. After Cetshwayo's capital Ulundi was captured and torched on 4 July he was deposed and exiled to London, returning only in 1883.
From 1881, his cause had been taken up by Lady Florence Dixie, correspondent of the London Morning Post, who wrote articles and books in his support
By 1882 differences between two Zulu factions – pro-Cetshwayo uSuthus and three rival chiefs UZibhebhu – had erupted into a blood feuds and civil war. In 1883, the British tried to restore Cetshwayo to rule at least part of his previous territory but the attempt failed. Chief UZibhebhu started a war contesting the succession – with the aid of Boer cavalry mercenaries – and on 22 July 1883 he attacked Cetshwayo's new kraal in Ulundi. Cetshwayo was wounded but escaped to Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal forest. After pleas from the Resident Commissioner, Sir Melmoth Osborne, the king moved to Eshowe, where he died a few months later, presumably from a heart attack, though possibly poisoned. His body was buried within sight of the forest, to the south near Nkunzane River. The remains of the wagon which carried his corpse to the site was placed on the grave, and its remains may be seen at Ondini Museum, near Ulundi.
He died in February 1884 as the last king of an independent Zulu nation. Cetshwayo's son Dinizulu, as heir to the throne, was proclaimed king on 20 May 1884, supported by (other) Boer mercenaries

Cetshwayo kaMpande's Grave

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HRH Prince Shingana kaMpande is the least celebrated hero (forgotten), statesman and a political diplomat of his time in the history of the Zulu Nation and of the world. He was a
Royal Prince as he was the son of King Mpande kaSenzangakhona Zulu. He was the first Prince to be placed Prince of Onkweni by his father King Mpande who ruled the
Zulu Nation after King Shaka and King Dingane.

He grew up like all young Zulu Nation boys, herding goats and Royal cattle, swimming in the local rivers and also hunting for rabbits. When the boys were together while herding their father's cattle they would want to test each other's strength and skills in stick fighting. HRH Prince Shingana Zulu would always prove himself to be more than capable of fending off his adversaries from his peer age group by paring off their blows and counter that by giving them a good hiding where it hurts most. This was common to the boys of that era because the skill they acquired in these “faked” fights was preparing them for the future in which their father “the Zulu King” would call upon them to be regiments that would defend their nation.

These faked fights would make a young Zulu to be strong, be capable of defending himself and not be afraid of an adversary, be it a wild animal or another human-being and not to fear pain as a result of injuries. This was the school from which Prince Shingana Zulu kaMpande graduated; with flying colors when one considers his exploits, later on in his life, in the arena of war.

The graves of mercenaries at Hlophekhulu, South-east of the present day town of Ulundi, are monuments of his hands and testimony of what Prince Shingana kaMpande could unleash to those who dared challenge and invade the Zulu Kingdom. This is just one of many examples for which the history is yet to be told and statue to be erected in remembrance of this hero and statesman. During this battle, this warrior and war general was not watching from a distance but was physically active in the battle field like his uncle King Shaka Zulu founder of the Zulu nation and most of those whose remains are lying in the graves at Hlophekhulu were shot and killed by him.

It is said that this battle started in the morning and when the sun was about to set Prince Shingana and all those who were carrying guns had exhausted the mercenaries and when the mercenaries started to retreat he unleashed upon them a fresh regiment with spears and shields to finish them off. This regiment was deliberately kept in hiding as a war strategy by Prince Shingana who wanted to charge first with those who were carrying guns like him until mercenaries were tired and then unleash the last blow with a regiment carrying spears.

Prince Shingana was a loyal royalist and he was a good friend and confidante of King Cetshwayo kaMpande who became a king after the death of his father, King Mpande kaSenzangakhona Zulu. King Cetshwayo did not rule for a long time and the war broke out between the Zulu Nation and the British colonialist in January 1879, at iSandlwana. The King had advisers on how to handle and respond to provocations from the English colonialists who wanted the all- white cattle (Inyoni kayiphumuli) of the Royal Kraal which was first bred by King Shaka. King Cetshwayo formed a military cabinet to address the war threatening situation caused by unreasonable demands by the colonialists.

Among the senior respected elders such as Ntshingwayo kaMahole Khoza, war generals such as Mkhosana Biyela (who was the Chief of Staff of uKhandempemvu Regiment and the Chief-General of the Zulu military forces at iSandlwana, he died on the battle field) Matshana kaJobe Sithole (Chief of Staff of uFasimba Regiment) the Royal Family was represented among others by diplomats such as Prince Shingana. The decision to go to war at ISandlwana was taken by this War Cabinet who also formulated the war strategy to beat the English colonialists. The battle plan was completely implemented by the war practitioners such as Prince Shingana kaMpande and the English soldiers were routed and those who managed to flee ran like a person possessed by evil spirits until they hid in the lagger at Tugela Ferry, and in hot pursuit was the young regiment of Ngobamakhosi who also made some killings.

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Cetewayo (c.1832 – 1884), the last independent king of the Zulus who
allied himself with the British until they demanded that he disband
his army. The Zulu army defeated the British at Isandlwhana on the 22nd Jan
1878 But were themselves defeated at Ulundi later that year. (Photo by
Henry Guttmann/Getty Images). Circa 1880

Hi Littlehand .
I know it's no fault of yours but the text is well and truly incorrect !!! , 1878 ! and Detatchment !!!.
cheers 90th.

http://www.natalia.org.za/Files/13/Natalia%20v13%20article%20p29-42%20C.pdf

http://alternation.ukzn.ac.za/docs/05.2/08%20Can.pdf

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I have doubt's Can anyone confirm?

young, unmarried, i have seen
this before!

Excellent Littlehand , I don't think I've seen those before
90th

The paintings were part of a competition that was held some years back at what was then the Local History Museum, Durban.

The well-known Sohn painting of Cetshwayo was housed there at the time, however, I believe it has been rehoused elsewhere.

John Y.

Hi JY
When I visited the Durban Local History Museum in 2014 & 2015 they didn't have any Cetshwayo paintings on display ...unfortunately , they may still be there but filed away , next time I go I'll ask .
90th

90th,

The well-known painting commissioned by Queen Victoria used to be housed there, but I believe it has been exhibited elsewhere since. You could not miss it as it was on the staircase leading to the upper exhibits.

It is the one on the cover of The Last Zulu King.

If you have time next time you are there try and get in the archives, that where a lot of Harford's material used to be lodged.

Also there was the canvas Red Cross from one of the ambulances from Isandlwana.

It has been awhile since I trawl through the archives though, I know some of it has vanished...

John Y.

Thanks for the heads up JY. If I come across the canvas Red Cross it may disappear also !
Cheers 90th

Tsk! bloody Aussies heading back to their roots.

Hi Frank
It would be going to a ' Nice home ' far better than sitting in a box or a drawer , don't you agree ? . LOLLLLLLL
90th

From the pages of the 1883 edition of Le Monde comes this engraving:

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King Cetshwayo kaMpande, an engraving after an 1882 photograph.
John Young Collection.

John Y.

Les
Re your post to the Cetswayo topic. This is the 'official' statue at the
museum in Ondini outside the original imusi. Probably the most disgusting
representation of what should be a national hero. This was done incidently
by the 'artist' tasked in building the 5 meter high statue of Shaka outside
iSandlwana.
You may like to post it.

Text and photo Frank Allewell

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Frank, agreed! it's such a shame, Cetshwayo to me was a tall dignified man
with i'm told a kingly bearing, don't know what that squat little munchkin is
supposed to be.

Frank,

The one at the Castle is far better.

We could get 90th’s dinner companion to take a look at that one.

JY

Dinner Companion? Tell me more.........

Oh hasn’t he mentioned Gugu and lunch at iSandlwana Lodge?



JY

The sly dog.

There were so many of them there for '' Lunch '' , she certainly didn't need me for a Luncheon Companion !!
90th

90th,

Busted - both you and your ‘Dad’.



JY

Hi JY
I'm blaming 'DAD ' he was very keen to sit with them !! hahahahahaha
90th

From the famous regiment series.. SLI.

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