Saturday evening was the seventh day of the annual KwaZulu-Natal French Week, drawing various important visitors to Dundee.
These included the advisor for the French Consular Counsel in South Africa, Mme Nathalie Lasserre; the consul general of France, Mr Lasserre; the deputy consul general, Mr Etienne Chapon; and Mr Nicolas Jorda.
The evening event was a fun affair in the form of a Franco-Spanish Fiesta held at Chez Nous B&B to honour the Empress Eugénie (mother of the prince imperial who died at uQweqwe).
All in attendance enjoyed the ‘bonhomie’, the delicious Spanish-style paella, and the entertaining and informative presentation on the empress by Michael Lambert.
The next morning, the assembled visitors all made their way to uQweqwe, to the prince imperial monument precinct.
Commemorative wreaths were laid for the prince, the two troopers and the Zulu guide killed in the same ambush. This was preceded by the following donations: winter uniforms to identified poverty-stricken learners at Jojosini Primary School; prize awards to netball and football winners of recent tournaments; ‘surprise packets’ to 15 identified gogos; and 104 fruit juices and water for the children gathered.
In March, for the prince imperial’s birthday, the community received six footballs; five netballs; ‘surprise packets’ for 10 gogos; and piles of linen, covers, cushions, blankets and assorted clothing and accessories.
The organisers are now looking forward to the community engagement in next year’s event, which will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2023. 
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