Ntshingwayo Khoza

Ntshingwayo was given overall field command of the Zulu impi against the centre column of the first British expeditionary force to invade Zululand in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Ntshingwayo's amabutho [isiZulu: "regiments"; singular: ibutho] attacked and virtually annihilated the encamped British force in the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879.

Despite the overwhelming victory, and Ntshingwayo's competent command of the battle, the King was extremely displeased at the great number of Zulu casualties at Isandlwana.

Sishishili kaMnqandi, a royal favourite and an induna [isiZulu: "officer"] of the uKhandempemvu ibutho who the King had asked to report on the battle, placed the blame for the lack of the Zulu army's preparation and the resulting high death toll squarely at the door of Ntshingwayo.

[2] After King Cetshwayo's return to Zululand from captivity in Cape Town and England, many of his most loyal supporters gathered to greet him, including Ntshingwayo kaMahole.

[2] On 21 July 1883, Zibhebhu launched a surprise attack on the royal homestead of King Cetshwayo at oNdini (near present day Ulundi) which was undergoing renovations at the time.

This is a photograph of a postcard published around the time of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. It is one of only two known and authenticated images of the Zulu induna [general] Ntshingwayo kaMahole, who led the Zulu impis at Isandlwana. The photographer and the publisher are unknown. The original postcard is in the collection of the National Army Museum , UK.