uQweqwe, AbaQulusi – 31 May 2026 – The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, today led the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Prince Imperial Memorial at uQweqwe in the AbaQulusi Local Municipality.
The event drew members of the Royal Household, traditional leaders, AbaQulusi Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr Sifiso Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute, the Embassy of France, Alliance Française, researchers, and the local community.
Marking three decades since its 1996 unveiling, the site symbolises reconciliation, peace, and international friendship.
Reflecting on the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War and the death of France’s Prince Louis Napoléon, Inkosi Mdlalose highlighted the bravery of both the Prince Imperial and the Zulu warriors as an enduring lesson in humanity. He welcomed continued collaboration through the “French Presence in KwaZulu-Natal” Cultural Tourism Research Project.
MEC Buthelezi reaffirmed government’s commitment to leveraging heritage sites for rural economic development, tourism growth, and job creation. He emphasised that preservation must create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
Mayor Cllr Sifiso Mkhwanazi welcomed visitors to AbaQulusi, expressing appreciation for partnerships that elevate the municipality’s historical assets onto the global stage.
The commemoration concluded with a call for communities to protect heritage sites, strengthen social cohesion, and foster international friendship through shared history.
Issued by:
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
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