EP52: KwaZulu-Natal - wildlife and history from a different perspective

In this latest episode of my podcast, I discuss my journey back to Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. It was five years since apartheid ended and four years since my last visit, and South Africa had completely changed as the sanctions had been lifted and now the big commercial chains had moved into the country. I stayed with a Zulu friend, visiting the infamous Soweto township in J’burg and then went to Empangani near Richards Bay in Natal. We visited the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and Thanda Safari – Big 5 Game Reserve, where I enjoyed showing my daughter the African wildlife.

I also visited the Islandlwana and Rorke’s Drift battlefields which were major events in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. Islandlwana is famous for the first major loss the British suffered by an Indigenous tribe. Around 20,000 fighting warriors were able to sneak up close to the British camp and wipe out the camp even though the British had superior weaponry and the Zulu mostly only had their assegai (short stabbing spears) and a cowhide shield. Rorke’s Drift is famous for a handful of men holding off a Zulu attack. Eleven Victoria Cross medals were awarded for this one battle. Between 3000 and 4000 Zulu attacked 150 soldiers and injured left at the hospital and barracks. While there is a museum at Rorke’s Drift celebrating that British win, there is little evidence of a major battle was held at Islandlwana except a small memorial and some stone cairns.

When visiting places, it is always good to ensure you hear and understand the history from all perspectives so you receive a balanced view of events, and not be coloured by any inherent bias.