Zululand Policemen 1883-1906

These two uniformed Zulu policemen are armed with the traditional iwisa (knobkierie) and the short stabbing spear.

Fort Nonquai, Eshowe, now houses a museum.

This Fort on the outskirts of the town of Eshowe, Zululand, was built as the HQ of the Zululand Native Police, a force established in 1883 as a bodyguard to Sir Melmoth Osborne. The force, initially only 50 men, was known as nongquai to the Zulus, and the fort was called Fort Nongquai. 

The Zululand Native Police saw service in Zululand during the 1880’s, took part in the South Africa War (when its numbers rose to 600 men) and the Bambatha Rebellion.

The force was absorbed into the Natal Police when Zululand was annexed to Natal in 1897, but was reinstated at the time of the Bambatha Rebellion; and disbanded immediately afterwards.  

The Fort was used as a depot for the Provincial Roads Department until it was decided to house a museum in the building.

September 2012 Heritage Month in SA

Heritage: the Oxford dictionary defines it as that which is or may be inherited; not particularly satisfactory as definitions go. Elsewhere it is described as the handing down of practices, tradition and customs from one generation to another. In addition, it is said (tautologically) to be a birthright or status that is often acquired from birth as well as property which may be inherited.

The SA Government Information site states that Heritage Month recognises aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and intangible: creative expression such as music and performances, our historical inheritance, language, the food we eat as well as the popular memory. We’re offered no detail as to what constitutes ‘our historical inheritance’ or what is currently considered to be included in or excluded from this apparently all-embracing term.

I remain clear on at least one point: that history – historical events - happened and cannot be erased, glossed over or pushed out of sight. Heritage means different things to different people. History is immutable.

If the debate interests you, Google history versus heritage.

Fort Nongqai, Eshowe, KZN, previous
HQ of the Nongqai (Zululand Native Police), a force raised in 1883.
The fort is now a museum and well worth a visit.