13 Facts About Dabulamanzi kaMpande

Dabulamanzi kaMpande is most noted for having commanded the Zulus at the Battle of Rorke's Drift.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande was a half-brother of the Zulu king Cetshwayo.

When Cetshwayo was restored in 1883, Dabulamanzi kaMpande fought on his behalf to maintain the unity of the Zulu kingdom.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande's father was the previous Zulu king Mpande, which made him a half-nephew of the famous and legendary Shaka and younger half-brother of the ruler Cetshwayo.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande's mother was Sanguza, one of Mpande's many wives.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande took the reserve forces and led the Zulu at the Battle of Rorke's Drift, despite his older brother specifically instructing him not to attack the British outside Zulu territory.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande's tactics were ineffective, allowing the small British force at Rorke's Drift to repel the Zulus.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande subsequently organized the Siege of Eshowe, alongside Mavumengwana kaNdlela Ntuli, forming a blockade at Fort Eshowe which isolated British troops, under the command of Charles Pearson for two months.

When Lord Chelmsford arrived with a relief force, Dabulamanzi kaMpande led the right wing of the Zulu army at the Battle of Gingindlovu; the Zulus were defeated.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande became the focal figure of anti-British sentiment in the aftermath of the war, and was a vocal opponent of Theophilus Shepstone and John Robert Dunn, Cetshwayo's former adviser who sided with the British and acquired large landholdings after the British victory.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande was keen to ensure his brother's return to power in Zululand.

Dabulamanzi kaMpande led the fight against Cetshwayo's principal enemy Zibhebhu kaMaphitha, who was supported by Boer mercenaries.

In 1883, Dabulamanzi kaMpande was defeated by Zibhebhu in the Battle of Msebe and at oNdini.