Umdlebe Tree The story of …
aka the Ultimatum Tree – Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
The Umdlebe Tree and its Story …
Situated about 10 km above the mouth are two historic forts, Fort Pearson and Fort Tenedos, built by the British in 1879 during the Anglo-Zulu War, to guard the passage of the river.
Near Fort Pearson is also a Sycamore fig tree, the so-called Ultimatum Tree, Also known as the Umdlebe Tree(Dead Mans tree, for obvious reasons). The Tree is now protected in the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve. It was here on the 11th December 1878 that the British delivered an ultimatum to Cetshwayo‘s chiefs as an excuse for the war. The Ultimatum basically requested that the Zulus remove themselves off the land in Northern Natal as it was then known, or the British would invade on the 18th January 1879 and forcefully take over the land.
Amazingly the Zulus did not respond but Cetshwayo rallied up his Impis and got them ready for battle! This all culminated in the major battles of Isandlwana and Rorkes drift fought on the 22nd January 1879.
It turned out to be a waste of life as the British won Rorkes drift (11 Victorian crosses were handed out) and the Zulus won Isandlwana. (The British’s worst defeat at the hands of a native force in their history!)
The Umdlebe Tree aka Ultimatum Tree – damaged by Vandals
Vandals have destroyed one of Africa’s most historic trees: the Ultimatum Tree.
Under the Sycamore Fig!
The British delivered an ultimatum to the Zulus in the 19th Century under this Sycamore Fig. Situated beside the Tugela river this became an important historic site. Sadly this national heritage & popular tourist attraction was burned to a blackened stump.
Some History Behind the Umdlebe Tree
Beneath the tree’s shady branches, J W Shepstone, the British secretary of native affairs, handed what was later acknowledged to be an unfairly harsh ultimatum to Zulu delegates sent by King Cetshwayo in the summer of 1878.
The conditions were rejected, leading to the Anglo-Zulu wars, British defeat at Isandlwana, the heroism at Rorke’s Drift and British victory at Ulundi.
James van Vuuren, of the Amafa heritage group, said: “Some people desecrate the graves of British soldiers in the mistaken belief that they contain valuables but this is senseless vandalism.”
To join us on a tour of the battlefields click these links to learn more:
1 Day Tour of The Battlefields
2 Day Tour of the Battlefields
3 Day Tour of the Battlefields
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