Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande

Dabulamanzi was a half-nephew of the famous Shaka and half-brother to the King, Cetshwayo. He commanded the Undi Corps which was in reserve at Isandlwana and then led the Undi Corps to Rorke's Drift which he attacked all through the night of 22nd/23rd January, 1879. He also organised the siege at Eshowe. After the war, he remained loyal to Cetshwayo, fighting and campaigning for him until his death in 1886.

uThulwana amabutho

The uThulwana (the 'Dust-Raisers') amabutho were also part of the Undi Corps, in reserve at Isandlwana and one of the four regiments in the attack on Rorke's Drift. Before Cetshwayo became King he was a member of the uThulwana.

Cetshwayo kaMpande

First Zulus Painted

My first Zulus completed (bases to be decided later). Not exactly 'fahsands of 'em', but the first five of the uDloko amabutho.

Part of the Undi Corps commanded by Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande, these Zulus were in reserve (the 'loins' of the Zulu 'Horns of the Buffalo' formation) at Isandlwana. They had already force-marched 20 miles that day and arrived at Rorke's Drift around 4.30 p.m. The uDloko along with three other amabutho (regiments), comprised the nearly 4,000 strong Undi Corps which would attack the defenders of the mission station for the next twelve hours.

Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande

(half-brother of the Zulu king Cetshwayo kaMpande)

"The sentries report Zulus to the south west. Thousands of them."

I've been planning a Rorke's Drift game for several years. I have acquired some Empress Miniatures British defenders, some Natal Native Contingent and some plastic Zulus and Redcoats from Warlord. I also have some scale maps and plenty of books! Here are just a few I highly recommend.

Then Warlord announced their new version of the 'Rorke's Drift Collector's Edition'. I'm nothing if not a collector so I have had to put in a pre-order!

The NNC need re-basing I think.

I've put together all the Zulus I currently have and primed them.

I shall get on with painting these whilst I await delivery of the Collector's Edition, mid to late June.