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Date	Original Topic
23rd April 2002	Vumangwana at Rorke's Drift By Lee Stevenson I note in both "The Red Book", (page 206), and "In Zululand with the British Throughout the War of 1879", (page 86), several references to Vumangwana, (sometimes spelt Mavumangwana or even Umavumangwane) who, it is stated, led the Zulu attack at Rorke's Drift with Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande Can anyone shed any further light on this gentleman please.
Date	Replies
23rd April 2002	Gary Laliberty Hi Lee, Well, I hope this little bit of information can help you. From the "Bible" about the Zulu people and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879......"The Washing of the Spears" by Donald R. Morris. Pg. 361 "Mavumengwana,forty years old and originally from the isaNgqu regiment, had been placed in command of the uThulwana by Cetshwayo, who had served in that regiment himself. The uThulwana were now brigaded with the inDlu-yengwe in the Undi corps, and Mavumengwana had detached himself from regimental duties to devote his full attention to the direction of the impi."--- from the battle of 'Isandlwana' Pg. 399 (bottom) to 400 (top) "There were two headringed regiments: the uThulwana, 45 years old and 1,500 strong, and the uDloko, 41 years old and 2,000 strong. A few companies of the uThulwana were missing; they had reached the ravine on the Nqutu plateau well in advance of the rest of the regiment, and they had charged with the umCijo while Mavumengwana and Tshingwayo held back the rest of the Undi corps."--- from 'The Defense of Rorke's Drift' Gary
23rd April 2002	John Young Lee, Mavumengwana kaNdlela, a chief of the Ntuli people. He was a senior induna of the uThulwana ibutho, and a close confident of King Cesthwayo kaMpande. His father, Ndlela kaSompisi. had been a senior induna of King Dingane. Who paid with his life for having brought the ignomy of defeat on Dingane's forces. When King Mpande came to power he treated Mavumengwana almost as one of his own, and helped in raising him. Mavumengwana and King Mpande's son Cetshwayo kaMpande, were of a like age and served the same ibutho. When King Cetshwayo despatched his men to confront the advance of No.3 Column, it was Ntshingwayo kaMahole and Mavumengwana who commanded the forces that defeated British and Colonial forces at Isandlwana. I cannot find anything which verifies any claim that he present at Rorke's Drift with Prince Dabulamanzi. However, it was Mavumengwana and his brother, Godide, together with Prince Dabulamanzi, who commanded the Zulu forces which were responsible for the investment of the British force at Eshowe. Hope this is of some help. John
24th April 2002	Gary Laliberty Hi, Once again, John Young has out done me. He has come up with 'better' information. John I 'salute' you; you are the 'best'. Gary
24th April 2002	Lee Stevenson Gentlemen Thanks for your prompt replies. Still reading through the Red Book, and I note several reports of the apparent deaths of Dabulamanzi and Mavumengwana at the hands of warriors sent by Cetshwayo, c. May 1879 Is this in fact how Mavumengwana met his end ? Also one new name, a "Mtunjana" or "Mtunjane". Again linked to Prince Dabulamanzi, although it is not clear if he was at Rorke's Drift. He is mentioned in some of these same 'rumours' of the death of Dabulamanzi c. May 1879. Anything more known of him and or his possible participation at Rorke's Drift? Lee
24th April 2002	Dave Nolan According to J Laband in 'The Rise And Fall Of The Zulu Nation' page 368 Dabulamanzi 'was shot down in cold blood by Boers on 22nd September 1886' so he must have survived his apparent death in 1879. I have only just got this book and I must say it is fantastic especially as it gives such a detailed view from the Zulu perspective which many other books fail to do. Hope this helps, Lee - liked your book about fellow Dubliner, Dr Reynolds VC, too! Dave
25th April 2002	Lee Stevenson Dave Thanks for the tip on the J Laband book. Could be a job for the VMS Fair on Sunday!! Lee