WHEN THE ZULUS DEFEATED THE BRITISH EMPIRE
In January 1879, the British army in South Africa invaded the independent and previously friendly Zulu kingdom, which had been founded by the formidable Nguni warrior Shaka Zulu in 1818. Shaka had been the first proper king in South Africa, in that he managed to unite almost 800 Eastern Nguni–Bantu clans under his rule, displacing the rest. He was also the first to establish a proper army, which he divided into regiments called impis armed with assegais and iklwas – the former a traditional long-poled spear to use from a distance, the latter a remodelled short-poled version which was lethal in hand-to-hand combat.
Leading the British troops was Lord Chelmsford, a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath who had already fought in Crimea, India, and South Africa, winning skirmishes with Xhosa chieftains which no doubt influenced his low opinion of the Zulus. He commanded 4,700 highly-trained soldiers equipped with the latest Martini-Henry rifles, assisted by armed colonial volunteers and many field guns of the Royal Artillery. He attacked the kingdom on three fronts, expecting an easy victory and national fame.
Facing him on the vast, baking-hot plain at Isandlwana was a Zulu army of 350,000 warriors wielding deadly spears and an assortment of ancient muzzle-loading firearms, divided into 34 regiments of which 18 were made of married men, and 16 of unmarried ones. However, since 7 of the married regiments were made of men over 60 years old, there were only 27 Zulu regiments fit to take the field, amounting to some 44,000 warriors.
News of the attacking force reached the Zulu court while it was getting ready to host the annual First Fruit Festival, attended by all the regiments, smaller chiefs, and the best isangomas of the land –who immediately started manufacturing protective amulets and invigorating potions. What was supposed to be a harvest celebration turned into a three-day pre-war ceremony, at the end of which all warriors were sprinkled with protective medicines and sent to the border.
When the Zulus first appeared in the distance Lord Chelmsford divided his force to meet them, leaving over 1,500 men in the main camp beneath the Isandlwana hill. It was this reserve force that the Zulus attacked, leaving Chelmsford’s main regiment stranded miles away and unable to help.
The Zulu plan was simple, but efficient, developed over hundreds of years while hunting large herds of game. It was called the “horns of the bull”, with the horns made of fast-moving younger regiments whose primary job was to encircle the enemy, leaving the killing to the more seasoned warriors who would bear the brunt of a frontal attack.
The tactic was most successful if the two horns completed the encirclement of the enemy before the main body of warriors had been seen, and in this battle they not only encircled the British position but also the hill of Isandlwana itself. When the circle was closed, they advanced at a steady jogging speed, then broke into a run.
The battle raged for less than an hour, at the end of which all but 100 British men had been killed – and that’s because they ran away before the Zulus attacked. When Lord Chelmsford entered the shattered camp strewn with corpses he famously said: “But I left a strong force here! How was this possible?”
It was the worst defeat ever suffered by British troops at the hands of indigenous people equipped with vastly inferior military technology. It was also the greatest victory the Zulus were ever going to achieve.
Simonetta Gatto
Photo of a Zulu warrior taken in 1860

Dad,

My heart is heavy today. It marks a week since you’ve transitioned.

As I reflected through my tears this morning, I was reminded about one of our trips coming back from your bi-weekly chemo appointments at Duke Medical Center.

We heard a siren and saw a blue light coming behind us. I immediately looked down and to the sign on my right to see what speed I was doing and the speed limit. I then realized that the speed limit changed from what I was previously going by.

When asked by the officer, I apologized and admitted that I didn’t see the change in the limit. I immediately complied and provided my license and registration upon request.

As you always did, you quickly jumped in to my defense. Your voice was low as you were still a little weak from treatment. You shared with him that I was your baby girl and we were returning to SC from your cancer treatments in NC. The officer nodded and went back to the car.

When he came back, he asked you if he heard correctly that you had cancer. Once you confirmed, the officer took a deep breath. He sighed and said that he too had loved ones who battled cancer as well. He asked if he could pray with you. You welcomed the prayers with gratitude and informed him that you’re a deacon of your church. You proudly shared your love for Christ and your belief that God’s will would be done. When you all were done, there was a small silver cross that he placed in your hand for you to keep with you as a symbol of your faith.

I asked you what made you share your health and you responded that you would never want me to be penalized for taking care of you.

Though I told you that I didn’t mind accepting the consequences and would be totally fine paying the ticket, you said that you wouldn’t want it on your conscious.

The officer gave me my items with a warning ticket that day, and said that he would continue to pray for you on your journey.

You didn’t know I captured this picture in the moment but I did it so it could continue to remind me of two things:

1- You always protected me even through your final days; and
2- You were a fighter, firm believer in Christ, and a praying warrior.

I’m so grateful for your love, guidance, and example. Heartfelt thanks to this officer who prayed for and with you that day.

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