King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo of the Zulu Kingdom in northern Natal, which is now part of the Kwazulu-Natal province, refused to follow British instructions to take up arms against the Boer Republics during the South African War (Second Anglo Boer War). His reasons were that the war was between the English and Afrikaners only. It was after receiving a warning from Colonel Bottomley that under the current martial law he may be banished for such a refusal that he took direct actions against the Boer Republics. Initially, the Zulu Kingdom's involvement was restricted to protecting her borders against Boer invasions since the 31st of January 1900.
eventREF E-0011226Revised
31 May 1901
Dinuzulu refuses British instructions to take up arms against Boers
- Updated
- 29 May 2020
How we know this
- 01 Evans, A.B., This Day in African History: 31 May, from African History, [online], Available at www.africanhistory.about.com [Accessed 31 May 2013]
Last updated · 29 May 2020
South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Dinuzulu refuses British instructions to take up arms against Boers. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011226
South African History Online (2011) 'Dinuzulu refuses British instructions to take up arms against Boers', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011226 (Accessed: 7 November 2026).
South African History Online, Dinuzulu refuses British instructions to take up arms against Boers [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011226, (accessed 7 November 2026).
"Dinuzulu refuses British instructions to take up arms against Boers." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011226. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.
South African History Online. "Dinuzulu refuses British instructions to take up arms against Boers." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011226.
Also on 31 May
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- 1901Heroic act by boer soldier Windvogel
- 1910Union of South Africa is inaugurated
- 1910Lord Baden-Powell's sister, Agnes, establishes the Girl Guides Movement
- 1910Natal becomes part of the Union of South Africa
- 1961The Republic of South Africa is established
- 1980Sasol I, NATREF and Sasol II are under attack
- 1986Police constable is buried alive at Ackerville cemetery near Witbank
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