Quotes about Cetshwayo:
"Even at the age of twenty, Cetshwayo was an impressive sight: tall, broad-chested and handsome, with a regal bearing that he would retain for the rest of his life. He had, at the same time, slightly bandy legs and the immense thighs typical of the Zulu royal house. Later in life he grew fat, but the muscles beneath remained firm and he kept fit by walking up to six miles a day. In his prime his bearded face was broad and unmarked, with large eyes and a pleasing countenance. He was darker than most Zulus and flushed easily when angered or embarrassed. An intelligent man with a good memory, he was a 'walking repository of Zulu lore'. To his inferiors, he was genial and open; to his friends, faithful and considerate. But he could also be autocratic, headstrong and ruthless when the occasion demanded. Cetshwayo was a dangerous man -- which is why his father tried to sideline him. He failed."
From Saul David's Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879, Viking, pp15-16, © 2004.
"The restless black one moved on, leaning on his barbed spear."
From a praise-poem about Cetshwayo's rivalry against Mbuyazi.
T Cope and D Malcolm, Izibongo: Zulu Praise-Poems Collected by James Stuart, Oxford University Press, © 1968.
"He who caused people to swim against their will."
From a praise-poem about Cetswayo's defeat of Mbuyazi's forces at the Thugela River in November 1856.
T Cope and D Malcolm, Izibongo: Zulu Praise-Poems Collected by James Stuart, Oxford University Press, © 1968.
Quotes by Cetshwayo:
"An assegai has been thrust into the belly of the nation, there are not enough tears to mourn for the dead."
King Cetshwayo, after his victory at the Battle of Isandlwana, 1879, describing the terrible cost of the victory -- a large number of wounded did not make it to Ulundi for purification ceremonies which would normally follow a battle.
As quoted in Donald R Morris, The Washing of the Spears, Jonathan Cape, South Africa, © 1965.
"I was King of the Zulus, had my country invaded by the Queen's troops, tried to defend my country, but was beaten, taken captive and brought down here [to Cape Town] by the Queen's orders. Here I intend to remain until the Queen restores me to Zululand."
Cetshwayo, whilst in exile at Cape Town, 1882.
As quoted in John Laband, Rope of Sand, Jonathan Ball Publishers, South Africa, ©1995.
