The Umzinyathi District Municipality has fenced off the historic Isandlwana battle site near Nquthu in northern KwaZulu-Natal after individuals were caught stealing war material, metal that was most likely to end up in in a scrap yard, on the mountain that is meant for display and educational purposes reports IOL. This was revealed by district mayor Petros Ngubane during the provincial commemoration of International Museum Day.
Ngubane said it was important for future generations to be taught their history, so as to have a clear understanding of where they come from and who they were. Isandlwana, a place where the Zulu army defeated the mighty British imperial army in January 1879, was declared a holy shrine for the nation by the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini. The king said the area was sacred because it was where Zulus waged a war to defend their land and way of life.
The late king’s sentiments were echoed by his successor, King Misuzulu Ka Zwelithini, in January this year, during the commemoration of the 144th anniversary of the battle.
Ngubane said the scrap dealers were not only stealing war material, they were also vandalising the historic graves of fallen British soldiers who were buried in the area. Some of the material found on the mountain includes wheels of the ancient wagons that were used by the British army to move around.
“We were concerned when we learnt that some scrap metal dealers were invading Isandlwana and stealing the material, like bronze necklaces on display, and selling it.”
“Because of ignorance, they were also leading their cattle to graves on the mountain, thus destroying the graves that are there.”
“We then decided to fence off the historic area since a lot of damage was being done as a result of these activities,” said Ngubane.