Page 76 - Heritage Streets of KwaMashu 2025

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HERITAGE STREETS OF KWA-MASHU
SECTION G
EMLANDWENI
This section’s street names are of places and famous historical events such as the KwaZulu wars and key Zulu regiments.
ISandlwana – a great 1879 Zulu-British war that saw King Cetshwayo’s Zulu army defeat the mighty British Army for the first time in an open war, armed mainly with spears and amawisa, battled and conquered the feared and guns-
equipped English army. The real, actual and original name of “Isandlwana” is “Bayavungama”. That of “Isandlwana” came when one morning in the days leading to the 1879 war, local people saw tents erected by the English army right under the mountain. Local started asking each other “What is that looking like a hut under the mountain of “Bayavungama”? (see also Ezintabani section)
Ndondabakusuka – near Mandeni, along Ndulinde area. The Battle of Ndondakusuka (site of battle), often known as the Second Zulu Civil War, fought on 2 December 1856, was the culmination of a succession struggle in the Zulu Kingdom between Cetshwayo and Mbuyazi, the two eldest sons of King Mpande. Mbuyazi was defeated at the battle and was killed, leaving Cetshwayo in de facto control of the kingdom, though his father remained king. Mbuyazi’s followers, including five other sons of King Mpande, were massacred in the aftermath of the battle. The defeat of Mbuyazi established Cetshwayo as King Mpande’s heir. It is also noted that after this battle Cetshwayo anointed a new regiment of iNgobamakhosi (ugobe amakhosi). The etymological meaning of “ndonda-kusuka” is related to the fact that Cetshwayo’s army slowly delayed (“ndonda”) to begin/ start (“ukusuka”) the war engagement for tactical reasons. Hlobane - Of Zulu origin, it is said by some to mean ‘beautiful place’, and by others ‘place of dispute’. It was the scene of the battle of Hlobane in the Zulu War, on 28 March 1879. It is a place