Impi
Yes it is. I have a problem being at the enema end of Africa, some times the posts dont come up before I reply.
On the road to Melmoth the original Gingindhlovu has been rebuilt. A few hundred metres away is "the place of killing" kwaMatiwane. The monument is at the top of the slope, Retiefs body, along with the rest of the "wizards" was discovered at the bottom where it was thrown. In his pouch was the document in question, it doesnt have a signature just a cross.
Ive never heard the documents authenticity called into question, the 'X' is of course something else. A point to ponder though is that the Zulus never believed in the concept of giving away land by title. Therefore Zulu leaders from iShaka onwards were quite content to sign away anything the whites wanted, it meant nothing. Francis Farwell found that out.
Its therefore more than likely that Dingaan 'signed' the document knowing it meant absolutly nothing.
kwaMatiwane is very much like isandlwana a brooding sort of place, you can actually feel the pain and suffering. The method of execution there varied from impalement to a local favorite of having thongs wrapped around the vistims throat with an executioners apprentice holding on to either end, the thong was then struck hard with a knobkerrie. The vibration broke the victims neck.
Hardly suprising really that the area has that sence of forboding.
Zululand has so much more to see than just the Anglo Zulu wars, pity most tourists only look at RD and isandlwana.
Regards