(On route R102, approximately20km from Gingindlovu, a circular route turn of to the village)

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1 1 MANDINI Population: Altitude: - more than 900 mm (On route R102, approximately20km from Gingindlovu, a circular route turn of to the village) Most of whose residents are associated with the Tugela' paper mill that was established in Also known as emandeni. Different theories for the name: - First theory: Probably from the Zulu word (munde) for the kraal-naboom trees that grows in the region. - Second theory: Others claim it is a corruption of the old Lala expression emanzini ('at the water'). Historical sites and monuments Battle of Ndondokusaka - Fought in 1856.

2 2 ISITHEBE Population: Altitude: (On route R102 on a circular route approximately 20 km west of Gingindlovu.) Established in 1971 to provide jobs mainly for the Zulu people of the region. Most common explanation is 'level place'. Mining and industries Serves as an industrial park that has attracted more than a 100 industries over a period of 30 years. Population: Altitude: 70m/230ft NYONI up to mm (On route R102 approximately 30km west of Gingindlovu a circular gravel road turns off.) In 1836, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, established a mission station, close to the present village, to serve Zululand. Derived from the Zulu word for 'bird'. It is believed that this makes reference to king Shaka, who was often referred to a the eagle.one of his favourite springs was also here.

3 3 AMATIKULU Population: Altitude: 39m/128ft Zululand region (On route R102 approximately 10km west from Gingindlovu and 50km east of Kwadukuza-Stanger.) In 1908, the first sugar mill north of the Thukela River was built here by (Sir) J. Hulett, one of the founders of the KwaZulu-Natal sugar industry. It is not clear where the name comes from: - It is probably from the Lala word, matifulu ( the water that scrapes away'), referring to the river of the same name, washing the crops away when flooding. - It could also be derived form the corruption of emantungulu, the Zulu word for the fruit of the amatungula (Natal plum) trees that previously grew here.

4 4 GINGINDLOVU Population: Altitude: 79m/259ft (On route N2/R102 approximately 22km south of Eshowe and 50km north east from Kwadukuza-Stanger) There was a long struggle among several contesters for the Zulu throne. At the battle of Ndondakusuka (December 2, 1856), Cetshwayo defeated his main rival, his half-brother Mbulazi. Five sons of the Zulu king Mpande, who supported the loser, were also killed. When Cetshwayo became the king, he built a military kraal,called Gingindlovu. Today, it is a small commercial centre on the juction for a branch railway line to Eshowe. whose name may be translated as the slandered one, then built himself a new military kraal called Gingindlovu. This was about 17 km from the battlefield on which he became the ruler of Zululand. Currently, Gingindlovu serves as a small commercial centre and the junction for a branch railway line to Eshowe. Derived from the Zulu word meaning the swallower of the elephant. Cetshwayo means the slandered one. There is also a story attached to the name (see claims to fame). Claims to fame Anglo-Zulu War Battle of Gingindlovu (April, 1879) Lord Chelmsford and his men, moved north to relieved the British besieged at Eshowe Zulu warriors led by Dabulamanzi, the brother of King Cetshwayo, attacked them on their way. The British was victorious and only 13 men were killed, while about 1000 Zulu died. The kraal was then burned by the British and the place dubbed, 'Gin, gin, I love you'. Historical sites and monuments Battlefield of Gingindlovu - The memorial is located about 3 km from the village. - A memorial commemorates the British who were killed in the battle of Gingindlovu. Battle Of Nyezane - Located near by the site of the Battle of Gingindlovu, on route R66 about 30km northwest of town towards Eshowe. - It also took place in 1879.

5 5 ESHOWE Population: Altitude: 536m/1759ft (On route R66 approximately 22 km north of Gingindlovu and 47km south from Melmoth.) Situated on a small plateau some 500 m higher than the humid coastal plains and therefore the Zulu say it is always cool in Eshowe. In 1860, the Zulu king Cetshwayo built a kraal in the area, which he named Eziqwaqweni ('home of the robbers'). The Reverend Ommund Oftebro, a Norwegian missionary, was given permission by the king to establish a station. It was called KwaMondi ( the place of Mondi ), a Zulu corruption of Oftebro's first name. Siege of Eshowe: Anglo Zulu War In the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, a British column occupied the Eshowe mission station. From there they planned to launch an attack on Ulundi, about 100 km to the north. However, before they knew it, they were themselves besieged in Eshowe for ten weeks. Lord Chelmsford and his forces came to their rescue, one day after their victory at Gingindlovu. The mission was sacked and burned, before the besiegers left. Zululand annexed by Britain In 1887, at the time when Britain annexed Zululand, the village was proclaimed as magistracy and chosen as the capital. This happened when Zululand was annexed by Britain and Eshowe chosen as the capital. The first residential stands here were sold in In 1915, it was finally proclaimed as a town. Different theories for the name: - Some claim the word was the Zulu imitating the sound of the cool breezes blowing through the trees. - Others say that it refers to the milk bush shrubs, ishowe or ishongwe, which grow in the area. It is used to cure hides and skins, but it is so smelly that even the dogs will not come near it.

6 6 ESHOWE Continue Agriculture Agriculture Mainly cultivation of sugarcane. Historical sites and monuments Coward s Bush Memorial Fort Nonquai Shaka s Kwa- Bulawayo Kraal - Marks a tree where Shaka executed his defeated impi and their families. - It also marks the site where those who were suspected of being cowards were tested. - Built in 1887, when Eshowe became the seat of the resident commissioner. - It was manned by the Reserve Territorial Carbineers, a Zulu Police Force. - They were also known as the Nonggayi ('restrainers') - It houses the Zululand Historical Museum. - Located about 27 km northeast of Eshowe on the crest of a rounded hill, with a view over the valley of the Mhlathuze that was once the favourite hunting grounds of Zulu kings. - A monument indicates the site of Shaka s kraal that is now overgrown. - The kraal had a circumference of 5 km and could apparently accommodate warriors. - KwaBulawayo means the place of the persecuted one. - This refers to Shaka s humiliation and rejection as a child, due to the fact that his father, Senzangakhona and his mother, Nandi was not married according to strict Zulu custom when he was conceived. - His mother was buried not far from Eshowe. Two Memorials commemorating Shaka Cetshwayo Royal Kraal - Located on a gravel road from Eshowe to Empangeni, along the valley of the Mhlathuze River - Cetshwayo s last royal kraal was established close to today s Ocean View Game Park, located on the outskirts of the town, on the road to Gingindlovu.

7 7 ESHOWE Continue Historical sites and monuments Fort KwaMondi - Located about 10km outside town on route R66 to Gingindlovu. Attractions and Activities Shakaland Vukani Museum Dlinza Forest (203 ha) Ngoye Forest Entumeni Nature Reserve Goedetrouw Public Resort Protea Simunye Zulu Lodge - Located 14km north of Eshowe (R66) in the Nkwalini Valley. - A traditional Zulu kraal was constructed and used in the original film set of a movie, Shaka. - Tours offer o Demonstrations of beadwork, pottery, beer-making, spear-throwing and stick-fighting. o Traditional Zulu dancing complete the visit. - Guest can stay overnight in Bee-hive huts. - The restaurant offers a wide choice of dishes. - Exhibits examples of Zulu handiwork. - A natural amphitheatre, called Bishop s Seat, is located in an indigenous forest. Religious services are frequently held here. - The name means grave like place of meditation. - There are several trails. - A boardwalk in the air allows sights of the forest from an unusual angle. - Located about 10 km to the west of the Dlinza forest. - This indigenous forest reserve is home to several different species of birds and animals - Offers excellent opportunities for angling and picnicking. - Located 30km from Eshowe. - A large wagon wheel with and S indicates the turn off. - The road continues for another 12 km to a trading store, from where guests are taken to the lodge on horseback. - The lodge is hosted by the Biyela clan and a more authentic experience than Shakaland.

8 8 NKWALINI Population: Altitude: 165/541ft (On route N66 approximately 20km north of Eshowe or on route R34 approximately 44km west from Empangeni.) Located on the banks of the Mhlatuze River. ated as a terminus of a branch railway from Empangeni, which was opened in Currently it serves only as a minor trading post. Derived from the Zulu expression for the place of the pheasant with red legs. Agriculture Main activities are sugarcane and citrus fruit. Attractions and Activities Shakaland - Located in the Nkwalini valley on the R66, from Eshowe to Melmoth. See Eshowe attractions

9 9 MTONJANENI Population: Altitude: - The hamlet is situated on a ridge that overlooks the valley of the Mkhumbane River ('river of the hollow'), a tributary of the White Mfolozi. Cradle of the Zulu People The place is marked as a roadside monument, 25km north of Melmoth, close to where the R66 and the R34 split. According to oral tradition, the origin of the Zulu can be traced to the valley of the Mkhumbane River (in the vicinity of the village of Mtonjaneni), where Zulu (Nkosinkulu) founded the nation. More than 300 years ago, Malandela, Zulu s father, led a small group of the southern Nguni into present day KwaZulu-Natal and settled in the valley of the Mhlathuze River (southwest of present-day Melmoth). Upon his death, Zulu moved north with a few followers and settled in the valley of the Mkhumbane, where he became the founding father of the Zulus ( heaven ). Zulu was buried at Emakosini (Makhoseni), the burial place of the kings ' close to Babanango. Shaka was a direct descendant of Zulu. Shaka When Shaka became leader of his clan, he built his first kraal, named KwaBulawayo, on the banks of the Mhodi River, tributary of the Mkhumbane. Later, when he became ruler of all of Zululand, he built a kraal by the same name on a hill overlooking the valley of the Mhlathuze River. Mtonjaneni means place of the little springs. Agriculture Wattle plantations. Cattle and sheep ranching

10 10 ULUNDI Population: Altitude: 484m/1588ft (On route R66 approximately 29km from Melmoth and the R34 to Vryheid.) In 1873, Cetshwayo became king and built a new royal residence. It was built on a plain a few kilometers east of present day,ulundi. This was close to the site of his father Mpande's kraal, and he called it ondini ('at the height'). This is also the place were the Zulu was finally defeated and marked the end of the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). During Apartheid, Ulundi was the new capital to be built for the self-governing territory of KwaZulu in the 1970s. The export railway from the Mpumalanga coalfields to Richards Bay passes through Ulundi. KZN decides on one capital Chris Khumalo - 4 May 2004 KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele has declared the city of Pietermaritzburg as both the legislative and administrative capital of the province. Previously (since 1994), Ulundi was the administrative capital and the venue for provincial executive council meetings, while Pietermaritzburg was only the legislative capital. The declaration of Pietermaritzburg as the administrative capital means that all departments will have to move from Ulundi to the city. Up until now, departments have had their headquarters scattered across Ulundi, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. "The executive council will now meet in Pietermaritzburg", Ndebele said last week, adding that the move would cut down on travelling costs for MECs. Historical sites and monuments Archeo- Logical Sites - King Dingane s residence from 1829 to Excavations are still being undertaken at the site. - The interpretive centre relate the history of the site. Umgungunglovu Ulundi Battle Monument Grave or Senzan gakhona - Commemorates the Battle of Ulundi. - King Shaka s father was born in He led the minor Zulu clan until his death in 1816.

11 11 ULUNDI Continue Historical sites and monuments KwaGqokli Hill KwaNkata Ondini Historical Reserve Ondini Site Museum KwaZulu Cultural Museum - King Shaka s rule was established between the Thukela and Mkhuze Rivers after three battles. - In 1819, he fought against the Ndwadwe clan at this hill. - This place, on top of a cliff above the White Umfolozi River, was used by King Cetshwayo, and possibly Chief Mpande before him, as a place of execution. - Exhibits Cetshwayo's reconstructed kraal. - Exhibits on display in this museum include a model Zulu settlement and a cultural section noted for the beadwork. - Provides insight into the rich cultural heritage of the province, tracing time since the earliest inhabitants to development of the great Zulu nation. Attractions and activities The Opathe Nature Reserve has been developed southwest of the town, on the southern banks of the White Mfolozi River.

12 12 MAHLABATINI Population: Altitude: 768m/2520ft (On route R66 approximately 50km south from Nongoma and about 15 km north of Ulundi.) Lies on the Mashona Engashoni ridge between the Black and White Mfolozi Rivers. ated as a Norwegian Mission station. Established in 1898 as one of several new magistracies created by the British after the annexation of Zululand in Derived from the Zulu expression for the country of white sandy soil. Agriculture The vegetation of the surrounding area is shrub veld. Cattle, sheep, goats Maize farming

13 13 NONGOMA Population: Altitude: 513m/1683ft (On route R66 approximately 50km north of Ulundi.) Situated on a high ridge. Bordered by the Mkuze River in the north and the Black Mfolozi in the south. In 1887, it was founded as a new magistracy after the British annexed Zululand. It was chosen for its location. However, the village was caught up between a rivalry between the usuthu of Dinizulu and the Mandlakazi of Zibhebhu. Within one year of its founding Nongoma was destroyed by the followers of Dinuzulu. ally called Ndwandwe. The locals renamed it to KwaNongoma ('the place of the diviner'), the 'diviner' was Chief Zwide of the Ndwandwe people. Later, it was renamed Nongoma Agriculture The vegetation is mainly bushveld. Mixed farming: cattle, sheep, goats, maize and sorghum. Attractions and activities Sapekoe Tea Estates Offers tours to explore the tea estate

14 14 Resources and further reading Braby s KwaZulu-Natal Tourist Map. 2006/2007. Erasmus, BPJ. On route in South Africa. Jonathan Ball Publishers Mountain, A. The rise and fall of the Zulu Empire. KwaNtaba Publications Smail, JL. From the land of the Zulu kings. AJ Pope (Centenary Year of the Zulu War). Visit and Explore South Africa CD version Visits and photos Exploration-research Field Trips. Makiti Guides & Tours (Pty) Ltd. May 2007.