140th Anniversary Events - January 2019

I have just received details of the 140th anniversary events that will be taking place in KwaZulu-Natal in January.

What surprised me most of all is that without my knowledge or any consultation I am apparently taking part in the events!

So here is what has been planned by KwaCulture, including the spelling errors:

DAY 1 (20th)
The regiments arrive at King Cetshwayo Palace at Ondini and are received by the King and his Royal Council. It is at this Palace that regiments are prepared for war the same way king Cetshwayo and his Council performed war rituals to those regiments of 1879. The Welsh delegation would be guests during this ritual. After celebratory activities the King releases the regiments to travel to Sandlwana.
DAY 2 (21st)
This is day two of the Rite of Passage of the Battle of iSandlwana, regiments do the cleansing ritual at the Buffalo river and later rehearse war tactics, war songs and praises in preparation of the battle re enactment. Regiments are arranged according to iSandlwana regiments.
DAY 3 (22nd)
His Majesty officially opens Cultural village. King Cetshwayo Memorial lecture is delivered by Prof J Maphalala and Mr Ian Knight. In memory of those buried in the mass graves, wreaths will be layed by both the Zulus and British launching the 'Monument of Friendship'
Regiments parade at the battlefield.
In the evening, official reception of Royal Welsh guests and soldiers at Nquthu Community hall. Launch of King Cetshwayo celebrations, Royal Family Choir and King Cetshwayo Musical.
Musical runs until Friday.
DAY 4 (23rd)
Royal Welsh soldiers and guests are taken through battlefields tour and heritage routes of the Kingdom. Zulu regiments remain at the village in preparation of war re enactment.
DAY 5 (24th)
Anglo Zulu War Exhibitions and 4 memorial lectures at Dundee Battlefield by Prof Otty Nxumalo, Mr John Young, Ms N. Mathiane and Ms Jones. This will be preceded by Zulu and British regiments parade in Dundee town to the memorial lecture venue. iSandlwana ukunqoba touring exhibition will be launched.
DAY 6 (25th)
Mangwebuthanani Traditional Council and KZN Arts and Culture Trust celebrates 20 year journey which has culminated into building of iSandlwana Heritage Prencict. There will be an Award Ceremony honoring all those that have played significant role in realizing this milestone.
DAY 7 (26th)
140th Commemoration celebrations of the Anglo Zulu Wars by His Majesty King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and the Zulu nation at the Battlefield site. Highlights will be the Battle Re enactment and the celebration of the King's 70th Birthday by the regiments and the nation. His Majesty will open the village to the public, laying of wreaths and spiritual connecting with those lay buried in those 11 mass graves will be allowed.
The nation celebrates 140 years of the great Zulu victory.

Well done on the invite then John - we are still trying to sort out air fares this end - at some point it would be good to get some support in getting the chaps out or the battle reeanctment may well be along the lines of the last few years - keeping the faith - atb Tim

Tim,

I’ve made it known that I’d expect my air fare and accommodation to be found, as yet I have had no response to that request.

Like yourself and the rest of the Company I will have wait and see.

Our Zulu friend is there at present, I could ask her views.

All the best,

JY

Certainly worth the crack - they seem to have gone big on the RRW - it would be good to have some proper representation of the troops from the war there as well - looks like at least 5 to 6 days of activities planned so it would be a shame if they didn't have a 24th Foot presence - so maybe a gentle reminder of our desire to be alongside might be appropriate? I'll leave it in your more than capable hands - I think they will need a good British showing if they want a proper reenactment on the sites - you know my thoughts on the alternatives! Atb - Tim

Hi JY
I just heard from Ian K who's also going to be called upon during the Anniversary events , surprise , surprise , he also wasn't aware he was to be part of it as well !! hahahahahahaha. Maybe  ' The Major ' will get an invite , as we both know he'd be chuffed at the thought of being part of the Festivities .......for the 6 or so days ! , he could Lunch or dine quite often with his most famous Zulu Maiden !!
90th

Gary,

Why am I not surprised!

I have just e-mailed your dinner date - again - as I have yet to receive a response to my previous e-mails. She obviously too busy on Facebook with you setting up your date in January!

JY

I will be up there in January and look forward to getting a photo of the two together John, would make an interesting post to the forum.

Frank,

I have now been told that my appearance is dependent on lottery funding, so go and buy a couple of tickets for me...

Smoko,

We’ve smoked you out!

JY

Hello all … I am new to this forum BUT AM VERY KEEN to visit Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift … especially if there is re-enactments.  So are these re-enactments only because it is the anniversary?  Or can I plan a visit any year and see similar happenings.  I would also like to take my time, walking all over the battlefield (or is it too dangerous … or is land privately owned land which restricts freedom of movement???)  Sorry for all the questions, but it is a long way to come from Australia and I need to 'get it right' the first time :) I have recently read the books by Mike Snook and learnt so much (I had no idea how incorrect the movies were!!!) I look forward to hearing from any Brits who will be attending this event in 2019

Hi Gary.
There is another gary, 90th, on the forum who will give you chapter and verse on travelling from Aussie. He normally travels with the Ian Knight Tours and is I know very happy with them.
The re enactments are normally on anniversaries of the battle, as in the 140th next year. personally I find them a bit of a pain and prefer, once you have had the benefit of someone like IK, to wander around on my own. Its perfectly safe to do so. The battlefield itself is a Heritage site but the surrounding areas can be roamed at will, they form part of the Ngonyama trust owned by the Zulu collective.
I visit the area 3 to4 times a year and haven't had any issues but like any country in the world don't put yourself at risk.
I once gave 90th a warning that if he ever visited KZN he would be captivated and would return. I think even he has lost count of the number of times hes visited now.

Cheers

I've planned a trip to Isandhlwana arriving on January 21st and leaving on the 25th. Lieutenant Francis Pender Porteous, killed in the battle, is a direct descendent of mine and I've been fascinated by the Zulu Wars since my teens. Are all these anniversary events open to people like myself or does one have to have invitations?

Richard,

You must be really ancient if Francis is your direct descendant!

I will check with the organisers as what will be open to the public, the last one I attended back in 1999 certainly was. However, my group managed to gate crash the VIP tent as one of my friends was on the organising committee.

Leave it with me and I’ll response with the answer.

JY

Bonjour Richard,
Please, have you got some photographies, letters...about Lt F. P. Porteous?
Cheers.
frédéric

Richard,

Gugu Ngcobo from KwaCulture, one of the organising bodies for the 140th anniversary, confirms that the events will be open to all.

JY

Welcome richardporteous
I see you are leaving Isandlwana on the 25th , I believe there's a re- enactment of Isandlwana on the 26th from memory ? .
90th

Hi JY
You're a smoothie contacting the Majors lunch / dinner date !
90th

Tread carefully Smoko, I believe someone is now on the forum...

John Young wrote:

Richard,

You must be really ancient if Francis is your direct descendant!

I will check with the organisers as what will be open to the public, the last one I attended back in 1999 certainly was.  However, my group managed to gate crash the VIP tent as one of my friends was on the organising committee.

Leave it with me and I’ll response with the answer.

JY

Oh dear, oops, DOH -yes I mean 'ancestor'

John, thank you for the info. I'm getting excited already.

[quote="ymob"]Bonjour Richard,
Please, have you got some photographies, letters...about Lt F. P. Porteous?
Cheers.
frédéric[/quote Hi Frederic, I have just one, but I'm not sure how to send it being new to the forum. If I work out how to do it I'll forward it.
Cheers Richard

Richard,
Great!
Cheers
Frédéric

Richard
There will be a number of forum members in the area between those dates. Where are you staying?

Hi Frank, we're staying at Fugitive's Drift Lodge.

I will be just up river at Rorkes Drift' must try and get together

Depending on Frank buying his lottery tickets, I’ll be somewhere...

JY

Thank you Frank Allewell for your response.  I have sent a message to the other Gary (90th) and am just awaiting for him to get back to me. So it sounds like most of the people who are going have already secured accommodation?

Hi Gary
if your considering going I would book as soon as possible. 90th normally stays at iSandlwana lodge but they are booked out. The alternates in the immediate area are Fugitives Drift lodge and Rorkes Drift Hotel. I stay at the RD Hotel because its so central and of course its right on the old drift overlooking the river.
JY
Ive just spent the pocket money on a ticket. You owe me 50p if you get here! Why not get 90th to use his charm on Gugs?

Frank,

It is in the post so it should arrive in time for the 150th!

Crazy situation is that I might be double-booked, as I have been asked to present a lecture at the University of KZN by the King Cetshwayo Foundation.

JY

That's an organisation I haven't heard to much of John. Speaking of the post I ordered some papers from Alibris in July last year, they arrived last Monday and then the local Post Office lost them !

Gary Traynor
I rang you yesterday , left a message with my phone number on your message bank .
Frank
Are you serious ???? ... I know your post can be bad , but July last year , then the PO lost them anyway !! WTF !! . I actually had a booklet sent to a chap I know in J'burg , which was back in October , still hasn't arrived ! . I don't sell anything to SA anymore . I'll leave my offsider ( it isn't JY ) to use all his charm on Gugs ! .
90th

Frank Allewell wrote:

I will be just up river at Rorkes Drift' must try and get together

Yes Frank, that would be good.

Just a heads up on this one - I am taking out a section of infantrymen from the UK for this - Colour party and escort - total of 17 all ranks. Will be on site on 22nd for the commemorations at iSandlwana, in Dundee and PMB as well and then back again for the battle reenactment on the 26th - full details of what is happening where will follow but there should be enough going on around to make the trip memorable - see some of you there at some point

Tim do we have a revised schedule of events as yet?

To all, I find this post very interesting especially the part about the "Cultural Village". If my sums are correct it will have to be built in less than 60 days?...and yes I will be there. RDL is 80% full for that week...leaving some space for a mouse.

Paul,

The work on the Cultural/Affirmation Centre will certainly not be completed in time. It is my hope that it never will be completed on the purposed site, but it is relocated elsewhere.

JY

John seems to get the updates before I do - I just have to get my chaps to wherever I'm told we need to be on the day - there will probably be a few more changes yet so just be aware and we will post up something between us when we have a clearer picture from high command!

That is if the ‘High Command’ permit me to correct the numerous errors that appear in their current document!

JY

In case anyone has seen a copy of this yet.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

JY

And add on = on the 22nd at 1600 till late wreath laying, football match and sounding retreat at Rorke's Drift (at least that's when and where we have been told to be!) Atb - Tim

Tim,

Just add to that the person who presented your Colours is making every effort to be with you at RD.

JY

All good stuff John looking forward to it all