More should be done to jazz up history as a subject for the younger generation.
The reality of things is that unlike maths and science, history, for obvious reasons, does not rate high on the priority scale in terms of opening up sexy career opportunities.
Yet, considering the old adage that history is crucially important in that people should learn from it to avoid making the same mistakes in the future, it deserves more respect.
Not that modern leaders apply that wisdom in any measure – they happily repeat the historical follies to everyone’s peril.
Taking an interest in the past holds considerable value. It enhances general knowledge and is in fact fascinating and even entertaining.
KwaZulu-Natal specifically is a historical treasure trove by virtue of King Shaka’s empire and the Anglo-Zulu-Voortrekker wars, all on our doorstep, but sadly, I suspect few people bother to become educated about the sacrifices their forefathers made to bring us where we are today.
The Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 serves as a good example. Most have heard about it, but have no idea of the brilliant strategies applied by the Zulu generals to inflict on the mighty British forces the most embarrassing military defeat against “an indigenous foe”.
The Zulu warriors, basically armed only with spears and cow-hide shields, killed more than 1 300 British soldiers armed with far superior weaponry.
There is too much information to reflect here, so Google it and be enthralled – then take your family on a day trip and visit the actual battle site and be blown away as an expert takes you through the battle.
More fascinating are the back stories which are rarely written up – in this case the story of a brave young red coat who, despite the slaughter of his comrades and the battle already lost, kept on firing at the Zulu warriors from a cave on the Isandlwana hill where he was posted.
Inevitably, he was confronted and killed, after which he was disembowelled. The first thought, of course, was the unnecessary savagery, until you learn it was an act of honouring his bravery, freeing his spirit as per Zulu custom.
There is a lot of of humour in history as well not reflected in the school books.
In the Anglo-Boer War the Brit army was trying to dislodge Boer forces occupying a strategic “koppie” (hill). They were pounding each other mercilessly to gain the upper hand.
But with Christmas due, the enemies agreed to cease hostilities on the special day.
The devoted Afrikaners dutifully held a church service, until they noticed the red coats leisurely playing cricket on their off day down below. The Brits were immediately put under heavy fire.
White flags were raised and the British commander enquired why the Boers were breaking the negotiated ceasefire.
The reply was simple, one is not allowed to play cricket on the Lord’s day and will be punished. (I’ll look it up again and share the exact details of this incident in time to come).
And finally, there is beautiful story of tracking down the grave of one Trooper Robert Knight of the Transvaal Mounted Rifles, who was killed during a battle at the Insuzi River at the end of the Bambatha Rebellion.
Local history enthusiast Warren Loader took it upon himself to undertake the impossible task. but actually found the grave in a rural area between Tongaat and Dalton.
Read the fascinating story on Warren’s blog site (Google “Thoughts of a middle aged man“). He wants to raise funds to erect an tombstone there and needs support. Contact him at 072 889 0663.
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