KING Cetshwayo kaMpande is the second respected Zulu king.
Cetshwayo, like the founder of the Zulu nation, King Shaka kaSenzangakhona, is respected worldwide.
This is because his amabutho were the first in history to defeat the British army at the Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu, KZN, on 22 January 1879.
Now the municipality named after him, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality, has reinstated the annual commemoration of King Cetshwayo at Nkandla, where his grave is located, which was discontinued many years ago.
On Friday, 19 January they will host the commemoration of King Cetshwayo as well as the commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana at the Nkandla Sportfield.
The official Battle of Isandlwana will take place on Saturday, 27 January at the Isandlwana battlefield.
King Cetshwayo made history on the Zulu throne when his amabutho, armed with spears, sticks, knobkerries, and cow shields, defeated the British army armed with big guns on 22 January 1879.
In July 1879, the British army regrouped and attacked the Zulu nation at the Battle of Ulundi in Ulundi, winning a battle and burning King Cetshwayo's palace to the ground.
After his death, the British denied him the right to be buried in his Ulundi under the Zululand District Municipality.
He was eventually buried in Nkandla under the Shezi clan, after which the district was named after him.
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King Cetshwayo Mayor Thami Ntuli told Daily Sun that King Cetshwayo was a hero in the past after King Shaka and that they decided to reintroduce the annual commemoration of King Cetshwayo.
"We've decided to remember him as we prepare for the Battle of Isandlwana on Saturday 27 January.
"Traditional leaders, religious leaders, izintombi, amabutho and the Zulu royal family will attend the commemoration of King Cetshwayo," said Ntuli.
He said that this year they've decided to also educate people about the noble history of King Cetshwayo.
"We started on Thursday, 18 January with a visit to Port Danford where King Cetshwayo was taken on a ship to Queen Elizabeth.
"This place has a history because the ship was stuck until King Cetshwayo was allowed to burn incense to tell his ancestors that he was going overseas. We have also visited his grave because we want these places to become tourist attractions," he said.
