Heritage Park at Isandlwana will go ahead – Dr Buthelezi
"Death, even a noble death, is a tragedy. It is therefore right that we remember the sacrifice of brave men who laid down their lives for their king."
The long-awaited heritage precinct at Isandlwana is going ahead.
This was welcomed by Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi who commented he is glad that all the necessary specifications regarding environmental concerns are being addressed.
The precinct project, including a palace for King Goodwill, has raised the ire of some historians who believe any new structures would severely compromise the pristine battle site. Speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the 140th anniversary of the iconic battle of the Anglo Zulu War of 1879, Dr Buthelezi said an impact assessment was being done. “This includes a palaeontological assessment, a wetland assessment, a geotechnical assessment and a floodline assessment.
According to the findings of these assessments, if the specifications and conditions are strictly adhered to, there will be no detrimental impact. “This place, the battlefield itself, is a sacred space. It is right that the building of a Heritage Precinct here has been approached so cautiously, over such an extended period of time, and in constant consultation with the AmaNgwe Buthanani Traditional Council, and with His Majesty the King.”
Accordingly, bones were gathered together in heaps and stones were piled on top of them in cairns. Sadly, many of those cairns were subsequently flattened, making it difficult to know where bones lay buried.
Commenting on the historic events of January 22, 1879, Dr Buthelezi said The Battle of Isandlwana had been a decisive victory for the Zulu Nation.
“Yet when he heard the news that so many of his warriors had perished, King Cetshwayo cried out, “Alas, a spear has been thrust into the belly of the Nation”.
“Death, even a noble death, is a tragedy. It is therefore right that we remember the sacrifice of brave men who laid down their lives for their king.”
Dr Buthelezi added the reality is that “the mortal remains of our warriors and those of the British are buried together at Isandlwana”.
The Zulu memorial at Isandlwana
Chief Buthelezi and King Goodwill at the Isandlwana 140th anniversary.
“During the Heritage Impact Assessment, the late historian and Anglo-Zulu War expert, Dr Ken Gillings, provided invaluable expertise, indicating that there may well be mass graves on this site that had not yet been uncovered.
“The bones that lay strewn on this battlefield were buried six months after the battle. Accordingly, bones were gathered together in heaps and stones were piled on top of them in cairns. Sadly, many of those cairns were subsequently flattened, making it difficult to know where bones lay buried.
“Dr Gillings was proved right, for eleven mass graves were eventually uncovered, where Zulu warriors and British soldiers lie buried together. There is symbolism in this, for our two nations, though once enemies, have come together to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Anglo-Zulu War.”
Theory debunked
However, some tour guides, including Pat Rundgren and Johann Hamman, have debunked the theory that the ‘mass grave’ – thought to include the remains of 11 unidentified people – are not those of British soldiers and Zulu warriors from the battle but rather a grave of locals dating back to the 1960s.
“The Zulus at that time – 1879 – did not bury their dead. The British returned in about the May of that year to bury the remains of their soldiers and it is highly unlikely that there was any mass grave,” Johann remarked.
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