KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Zweli Mkhize yesterday commemorated Reconciliation Day by opening the province's R34million state-of-the-art Umgungundlovu multimedia centre in Ulundi.
The event, held at the birthplace of the Zulu nation, was attended by more than 5000 people.
The site, which is in 30000 hectares of eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park, is the impressive 19th century royal capital of King Dingane.
It will showcase four centuries of Zulu history.
In 1828 Dingane ordered the slaying of Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and his followers, who had come seeking a piece of land.
They were buried on nearby KwaMatiwane hill where there is also a memorial.
The king later ordered his capital to be burnt but archaeologists were able to pinpoint the circular fire-baked mud floors and some dwellings have been reconstructed.
Following a proposal by Amafa, the provincial heritage conservation agency, to reconstruct the heritage site, funding was approved by the KZN cabinet.
The centre is intended to be the major tourist and educational drawcard to the eMakhosini Valley, where most of the early Zulu kings are buried
Mkhize said the building of a united South African nation "is a duty we cannot delegate to future generations and this is the task that our history has entrusted with us".
Multimedia centre to showcase Zulu history
KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Zweli Mkhize yesterday commemorated Reconciliation Day by opening the province's R34million state-of-the-art Umgungundlovu multimedia centre in Ulundi.
The event, held at the birthplace of the Zulu nation, was attended by more than 5000 people.
The site, which is in 30000 hectares of eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park, is the impressive 19th century royal capital of King Dingane.
It will showcase four centuries of Zulu history.
In 1828 Dingane ordered the slaying of Voortrekker leader Piet Retief and his followers, who had come seeking a piece of land.
They were buried on nearby KwaMatiwane hill where there is also a memorial.
The king later ordered his capital to be burnt but archaeologists were able to pinpoint the circular fire-baked mud floors and some dwellings have been reconstructed.
Following a proposal by Amafa, the provincial heritage conservation agency, to reconstruct the heritage site, funding was approved by the KZN cabinet.
The centre is intended to be the major tourist and educational drawcard to the eMakhosini Valley, where most of the early Zulu kings are buried
Mkhize said the building of a united South African nation "is a duty we cannot delegate to future generations and this is the task that our history has entrusted with us".