Isandlwana remembered

Minister joins king, traditional leaders to commemorate 140th anniversary of Zulu battle

THE Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, joined King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and other traditional leaders yesterday to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Isandlwana – a day he said was important not only to the Zulu nation but the entire country. The celebration was also graced by the IFP’s Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala and Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza, chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhize paid tribute to the king for his “foresight in commemorating days like these with celebrations”, saying this was how history was preserved. “This is an important day not just for the Zulus but for the whole country,” Mkhize said. “This is the day to unify the country but more than that, it should help us to celebrate our differences and promote social cohesion.” Mkhize said that the victory at Isandlwana was one of the two bestknown battles on the African continent where “the might of the colonial empires crashed”. The battle, which is regarded as the first major confrontation in the Anglo-Zulu war, was also commemorated with an re-enactment by visiting re-enactors from the UK and Zulu warriors. Mkhize thanked the Royal Welsh regiment for being part of the re-enactment of the battle, and for reaching out to and showing friendship towards South Africa. He also said that he wished that the provincial government would help in making the dream of developing the area around Isandlwana a reality.