Museum earmarked for Isandlwana site
The facility will be inherited by future generations as part of their heritage.
THOUSANDS descended on the hills of Isandlwana on Saturday to commemorate the historic battle of Isandlwana where the British soldiers suffered a humiliating defeat by Zulu warriors on 22 January 1879.
The Zulus, equipped mainly with the traditional assegai iron spears and cow-hide shields, took on the might of British who were armed with modern weapons.
At the commemoration, King Zwelithini emphasised the importance of remembering and commemorating our history, especially battles such as Isandlwana, which marked a turning point in the history of this country.
The MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Mike Mabuyakhulu praised the King’s bold step to revive and preserve heritage.
‘As government, we have started with plans now to build a state of the art heritage museum here in Isandlwana, which will be a major tourist attraction,’ said Mabuyakhulu.
He said the facility will be inherited by future generations as part of their heritage.
The commemoration attracts an enthusiastic group of amabutho (warriors) and the Dundee Die Hards who enact the battle of Isandlwana during the annual commemoration.
Both sides perform a spectacular re-enactment of the battle in authentic Zulu regalia, Victorian British military uniforms and weapons.
The group’s convener Garry Slater said the preservation of history is very important to the group, adding they have plans of expanding their acts to include other historic battles such as the Anglo-Boer war.
