145 years after his death, a young French Prince who died in Zululand is remembered
The French Prince Imperial met his untimely end in Zululand during the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 but by keeping his memory alive, a local community continues t benefit.
Dundee’s annual French Soirée to commemorate Napoleon III (father of the Prince Imperial, Louis Napoleon) was a splendid evening on Saturday, November 30, at Chez Nous B and B.
The event is normally held in June to coincide with the death of the Prince on June 1, 1879, during a skirmish in the Anglo-Zulu War, near Nquthu.
However, the national elections, held on May 27 forced the organisers, former French lecturer in Pietermaritzburg, Glenn Flanagan (project leader of the French presence in KZN: Route Prince Imperial, Louis Napoleon and King Dinuzuluka Cetshwayo) and Dundee’s Elisabeth Durham, to reschedule until summer.
The memorial where the prince was ambushed (in the Nquthu area) – along with two Natal Native Horse troopers, Abel and Rogers, as well as the Zulu guide accompanying them – has become a major tourist attraction.
Elisabeth Durham (patron of Chez Nous B&B) and her team pulled out all the stops to deliver a tropical-themed evening with a focus on former French colony, Madagascar.
VIDEOS from the ceremony at QweQwe:
The décor, the cuisine and the ambience of the soirée were superlative, and the tone was definitely also set by the presence of prestigious guest Monsieur Etienne Chapon (Consul General); and Col Jardin of the French embassy, Pretoria, and his wife.
As usual, the French Week programme continued to the Prince Imperial Monument the next morning.
“The commemorative ceremonies were well attended.
“Besides our distinguished guests, there were other provincial and local visitors, members of the uQweqwe community (area where the memorial to Prince Imperial is situated), some 30 izindunas and committee members of the kwaHlahlindlela Development Committee.”
The local community has benefited from donations towards the local school and through hand overs of sporting equipment.
“Hope springs eternal!” Flanagan told the Courier after the prestigious event that took everyone down memory lane.
Again, Dundee’s French connection continues to be a major tourist attraction to add value to the Battlefields Route.
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