Zululand True Stories 1780 to 1978

Large hardcover, illustrated, coffeetable book. condition: as new.

THIS self-published book has gone into four editions and according to its author the latest expanded edition contains 82 chapters and 356 rare photographs and sketches on the history of Zululand from the times of King Shaka to the development of industry at Richards Bay.

The book is reminiscent in style of J.L. Smails From the Land of the Zulu Kings, and while this patchwork approach plus the books idiosyncratic layout is unusual,  theres no denying it contains material not easily accessed elsewhere.

As well as the usual suspects, such as the conflicts with the British and the trekkers, the author, Van der Walt, also takes a look at gold mining in Melmoth, Catalina flying boats in St Lucia Bay and the Womens Institute in Zululand. The section dealing with Richards Bay includes an intriguingly titled chapter, Sex and the Bayside Aluminium Smelter.

Van der Walts writing is competent at best and  he has added a bibliography.