Zulu chief's 'moving' Army visit

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi looks at some of the Zulu artefacts

One-time foes have met as friends at a Army barracks in Powys to remember the soldiers who fought in the Anglo-Zulu War nearly 130 years ago.

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, present day Zulu leader, whose ancestors took part in the famous battle of Rorke's Drift, said his visit had been "emotional".

He added that his people treasured the link they had with Wales.

Many of the British soldiers who defended Rorke's Drift were trained at Brecon barracks, which he visited.

Chief Buthelezi, 80, was shown Zulu spears, clubs, necklaces and other belongings taken as trophies by British troops from the battlefields.

He seemed fascinated by the items on display at a regimental museum.

I think it is important to pay tribute to the brave people on both sides Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi

Reflecting on his visit, he suggested that mutual respect and comradeship had grown out of the horrors of war.

"It is wonderful to come here to Brecon," said Chief Buthelezi.

"It's very moving, touching and very emotional for me.

"We really treasure the link between the Zulus and the Welsh regiment. It (the war) created a relationship which must never die for us.

"I think it is important to pay tribute to the brave people on both sides. It's very important for us to keep this relationship forever."

Thousands of soldiers died in the war, but the defence of Rorke's Drift is probably what many people remember.

It was immortalised in the 1964 movie, Zulu, which starred Michael Caine and Stanley Baker.

The film told the story of the tiny garrison of 139 men - many of them sick and wounded - who held out against a force of some 3,000 Zulus on the Natal border with Zululand, in South Africa, in 1879.

'Enduring tradition'

Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, many of them to the men of the 24th Regiment of Foot, later the South Wales Borderers and now The Royal Welsh.

Brigadier Rick Libbey, commander of 160 Wales Brigade, who is based in Brecon, welcomed the chief to the barracks on Friday.

"There is an enduring tradition of comradeship and mutual respect between the 24th Regiment of Foot (now The Royal Welsh) and the people of KwaZulu forged during the Zulu wars in 1879," said Brig Libbey.

"This barracks is of particular interest to the chief as this was the depot of the 24th at that time, and many of the soldiers at Rorke's Drift carried out their training here and in the surrounding area."

Chief Buthelezi spent the day with The Royal Welsh at its base in Wiltshire on Thursday for an early St David's Day celebration.

He said he had "never seen anything like it", describing the celebration as "spectacular". He also confessed that he tasted leek for the first time too.