ISANDLWANA : MAY 24, 1999

The Master of Ceremonies, Mr Bongani Mdunge; the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, the Honourable L.P.H.M. Mtshali; Ms Maggie Bryant and her business partner, Ms Pat Stubbs; Members of the Council of Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali; Members of the provincial Legislature; amaKhosi present; the senior Induna of the Amangwe Buthanani Traditional Authority; the Chairman of the Regional Council and other members of Regional Councils; Councillors and Izinduna present; distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman and members of the Amangwe Clan.

It gives me great pleasure to be with you at Isandlwana today. Not only is this a very special place in our history, but my visits here in recent times have always been to mark very special occasions. We were here in 1979 during the centenary of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. I can recall being here with His Majesty the King before the 1994 elections when we were facing dark days, and it seemed we had lost the battle to save our Kingdom. I can recall the memorable occasion when we unveiled the special memorial to the fallen Zulu on January 22 this year, 120 years after the battle of Isandlwana. Today is also a very special day for me, as much as it is a special day for the Inkosi, his people and the people of this district.

We have laboured for years to preserve this very special place and we have dreamt for a very long time about bringing development to the poor of this area. We have laboured long to ensure that the tourism needs of visitors from all parts of our country and all corners of the globe are catered for in such a way that the economic plight of the people of this region is taken care of at the same time.

The magnificent Isandlwana lodge is in many ways a culmination of this dream. I can remember being briefed more than ten years ago by the Council of Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali about their plans to get the private sector to build a tourism facility right here at Isandlwana so that the members of the Mangwebuthanani Traditional Authority might get urgently needed jobs and share in the fruits of tourism development. I am proud indeed that Amafa has been able to work in harmony with the community to get this lodge off the ground. I am proud indeed that it has, after years of hard work, been possible to persuade investors to spend millions of rand on land owned by a Traditional Authority. This is a breakthrough that all in KwaZulu-Natal can be justly proud of. I am so grateful that a formula was found to do this.

This Lodge is a symbol of the very positive benefits that can arise out of development associated with heritage management and conservation.

120 years ago a very destructive battle was fought here, and as we approach the turn of the Century, we have still not forgotten that fateful day. Because we have not forgotten it, the site of that battle has been looked after. And in looking after it, we have turned a place of destruction into a place of empowerment.

Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali has facilitated negotiations with the Mangwebuthanani Traditional Authority, whereby a very small area of four hectares on the Battlefield has, with the Traditional Authority’s consent, been expanded to cover an area of over 800 hectares.

The developments over the last 10 years, while at times seemingly very slow, have made Isandlwana a growing tourism destination in the Province.

The local community has benefited through the provision of a new school; the access route to the area has been upgraded; and employment opportunities have been created. The opening of this Lodge has provided employment during its construction and further employment opportunities will arise with its establishment.

The Lodge has brought a new focus to Isandlwana, as visitors who previously had to seek accommodation well away from the Battlefield can now stay right here and immerse themselves in the ambience of this fateful place. What I find very exciting indeed is that this Lodge, unlike any other tourism development I can think of, is situated right in the heart of the community. Yes, when you are at the lodge, you have an awe-inspiring view of the fateful Isandlwana mountain. But what is even more special is that right in front of you, you can see the humble homes of ordinary rural people.

You can hear their cattle lowing as the herdboys bring them home for milking. You can hear the sounds of people’s voices as they go about their daily chores. I have no doubt in my mind that this cultural experience will add a dimension to tourism that you cannot get anywhere else. People will come here not only to visit the site of one of the most famous battles in history, but because they can savour the culture of a remarkable people, the Zulu. I believe that the blending of this very fine tourism facility into the humble landscape where ordinary people live is not only unique and pioneering, but will prove to be one of the secrets of its success. Others will emulate it.

Tourism development in the area has been a prime objective of Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali in making a modest contribution to the economy of what is a very impoverished region. Let us not forget that tourism is a very fickle industry and that the only way to safeguard a continuous visitor flow is to ensure that visitors to Isandlwana and the Lodge can be guaranteed a safe and rewarding experience.

Therefore any form of bad behaviour, stealing, mugging and other serious crimes against tourists must not be allowed and must be stamped out by the community. We as Zulu people regarded the commission of all these things as evidence of a lack of Ubuntu. These things were regarded as an absolute disgrace.

 

I must pass my praise and congratulations to the Mangwebuthanani Traditional Authority and the Isandlwana Community for the alacrity with which they responded to the recent mugging of tourists. Their co-operation with and assistance to the Police Services resulted in the speedy bringing to book of the perpetrators. I reiterate - the perpetrators of such crimes are the worst enemies of development and thus of the people themselves. If tourists perceive Isandlwana as an unsafe destination, all that we have striven for will come to naught, and the empowerment of yourselves will be seriously compromised.

Financial benefits to the community have accrued over the years through the gate takings. It gives me great pleasure to now call on Senior iNduna Kubheka to please come forward and receive a payment of R13 463.92. I do so on behalf of the Council of Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali. This is in compliance with the thirteen point agreement negotiated with the Mangwebuthanani Traditional Authority at the inception of the Isandlwana Project.

I must at this juncture also express my sincerest gratitude to Mrs Maggie Bryant and her business partner Mrs Pat Stubbs for their foresight and commitment, not only in having taken an interest in a business development in this remote area of the Province, but also for so magnanimously embracing the Isandlwana Community in this development project.

Indeed, your own Inkosi Mazibuko is currently in the United States of America on a training programme facilitated by Mrs Stubbs in order that he may improve his English literacy, and management and business skills, and hopefully return to Isandlwana equipped to be a leader of the highest calibre.

For this we thank you most sincerely, Mrs Stubbs. Your commitment to the Isandlwana Community, the fact that you have chosen to live here when resident in South Africa, and the various initiatives you have sponsored and championed during the construction phase of the Lodge, are to be lauded.

To the community of Isandlwana I say: Look after the people who have brought you development. Treat them with kindness. Continue to work as partners with Amafa aKwaZulu-Natali. I have no doubt that with your co-operation and continued goodwill we will build here at Isandlwana a monument to development that will become a role model in our country.

It now gives me great pleasure to declare Isandlwana Lodge officially open.

I thank you.