Battle of Blood River
Blood/ Ncome river, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
What happened
About 464 Voortrekkers, Dutch-speaking settlers led by Andries Pretorius, fought a large army of King Dingane of the Zulu Kingdom. Earlier in 1838, King Dingane had the Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and his party killed. In December, Pretorius's men formed a laager, a circle of wagons, beside the Ncome River in today's KwaZulu-Natal, with cannons at the corners. Zulu regiments attacked again and again, and after about two hours the mounted Voortrekkers rode out and the Zulu army scattered.
Why it matters
Result: Voortrekker victory. Leaders: Andries Pretorius / Sarel Cilliers against Ndlela kaSompisi / Dingane. Why it matters: The battle became central to Afrikaner nationalism, which saw the victory as a sign of God's favour. It is remembered very differently by Zulu people and by Afrikaners.
What came next
Dingane was later defeated with the help of his half-brother Prince Mpande. Since 1995, 16 December has been South Africa's Day of Reconciliation, a holiday meant to foster unity.
Did you know?
The date of the battle, 16 December, was chosen for South Africa's Day of Reconciliation because it is important both to Afrikaners and to the movement that fought apartheid.
Timeline
- February 1838Dingane has Piet Retief and his party killed.
- 16 December 1838Voortrekkers defeat Zulu forces at the Ncome River.
- 1961Umkhonto we Sizwe is founded on 16 December.
- 199516 December becomes the Day of Reconciliation.