Start the New Year with a peace walk and football to mark the anniversary of the 1879 battle of Rorke’s Drift. The walk starts at 9am around and up Shiyane hill.

At the highest point of the walk, a short motivational talk will be given. At this same point, walkers may visit the San cave with its paintings, overlooking the Buffalo River Valley.

Walkers will register with a ticket at the start and at completion this may be redeemed for a medallion on payment of R25 with a certificate. Money raised will be used to meet local needs in the rural Shiyane community. The annual football match between the Zulu Zebras and the Rorke’s Drift Redcoats will kick off at 3pm on the same day, at the Rorke’s Drift Stadium. Details: 0 034 642 1760 or cell 079 090 5252.

It was on this day, January 22 1879, that three Zulu Regiments crossed the Buffalo River from the Isandlwana battlefield and attacked the Mission Station at Rorke’s Drift. Some 150 soldiers defended the supply station against some 4 000 attacking Zulus, aided by the Martini-Henry rifle ‘with some guts behind it’.

Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded: seven to the 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, one to the Army Medical Department, one to the Royal Engineers, one to the Commissariat and Transport Department and one to the Natal Native Contingent.