uMgungundlovu

He established his royal kraal in 1829 in the eMakhosini valley against Lion hill (Singonyama), just south of the White Umfolozi River.

The name uMgungundlovu stems from the Zulu word or phrase ungungu we ndlovu, which means "the secret conclave of the elephant".

This was one of the king's military complexes (amakhanda) and was located in the eMakhosini valley, just south of the White Umfolozi River on the slope of the Lion hill.

The huts stood six to eight deep and formed a huge ring around an open area, known as the large cattle kraal (isibaya esikulu).

From the main entrance, which served as a dividing line between the eastern and western sections (uhlangothi), the huts of the warriors stretched round the circle of the royal area (isigodlo).

The royal enclosure (isigodlo) was situated behind a palisade fence on the southern, or higher, side of the oval-shaped complex, directly opposite the main entrance.

The black isigodlo comprised about 100 privileged women, and within that group another elite called the bheje, a smaller number of girls, favoured by the king as his mistresses.

Archaeologists found evidence inside the hut of 22 large supporting posts completely covered in glass beads.

Reverend Francis Owen resided a short distance from the hill during the 1830s and remarked that the vultures circling over the bodies of those newly slain were a regular sight.

[1] Dingane would pronounce a verdict in the company of his chiefs and principal men, while the executioners, armed with knobbed clubs, would await their orders.

The British missionary and his staff had warned Retief that he was in danger from Dingane, but the chief had won the trekkers' trust and they did not listen.

Despite warnings, Retief left the Tugela region on 28 January 1838, in the belief that he could negotiate with Dingane for permanent boundaries for the Natal settlement.

Retief, his son, men, and servants, about 100 people in total, were taken to kwaMatiwane hill, the site where Dingane had thousands of other enemies executed.

Also recovered was the undamaged deed of cession from Retief's leather purse, as later verified by a member of the "victory commando", E. F. Potgieter.