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Prince Dabulamanzi and the Battle of Isandlwana
By Bruce Wigo
A little less than three years after George Armstrong Custer’s “Last Stand” in the battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana, a British army suffered a similar fate in Africa.
Just as the United States government in Washington viewed Native Americans, the British government in London saw the independent Zulu Kingdom in Southern Africa as a threat to their imperialistic designs and expansion. This led to a series of demands upon the Zulus, which were nothing more than a pretext for war.
The Zulu Chief, Cetshwayo, hoped for a peaceful settlement, but when he would not accept the most outrageous and unacceptable ultimatums, Lord Chelmsford led a force of 3,400 British troops—and an equal number of Natal natives—into Zululand on Jan. 11, 1879. Chelmsford then proceeded to Isandlwana Hill, about six miles inside Zulu territory, and made camp. Unbeknown to Chelmsford, when an invasion seemed imminent, Cetshwayo had mobilized a force of 24,000 warriors.
At Isandlwana, the Zulus fought the British with dauntless courage and the fury of tigers. They rushed into the face of artillery and rifle fire without the least concern for the hundreds falling in their ranks or the bodies barring their way. They pressed on to get to close quarters as speedily as possible to bloody their spears, disdaining the gun as the weapon of cowards.
Among the Zulu warriors was a half-brother of Cetshwayo, Prince Dabulamanzi kaMpande. His name, DABULAMANZI, meant “one who divides the waters” or “Lord of the water,” denoting his skill as a swimmer. He was described as being “a handsome man, well-featured, with most beautiful teeth, tall, graceful and stately, and decidedly aristocratic in manner.”
From the image in Harper’s Weekly, he also had the physique of a swimmer, with long, lean musculature and not overly-muscled. It was the swimming ability of the Zulus that enabled their armies to cross rivers and streams without the delay of building ferries or bridges, as was the case with the British.
To read more about Dabulamanzi and the battle of Isandlwana,
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[PHOTO CREDIT: CONNOR TRIMBLE]
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Swimming World March 2021 Issue
FEATURES
012 THIS SHOULD BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT
by Dan D’Addona
A year ago, all eyes were on Cal and Texas in what looked to be one of the greatest men’s NCAA Championship duels ever. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out that showdown, but spirits are running high one year later—not only for that much anticipated Cal-Texas confrontation, but for the simple fact that college swimmers will again be able to come together and compete at a national championship.
014 YES, VIRGINIA, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE
by Dan D’Addona
For years, Stanford and Cal have been battling each other for national supremacy at women’s NCAAs, with the Cardinal and Golden Bears finishing 1-2 in the last three championships. Before that, Cal had put together four team titles since 2009. But in 2021, look for Virginia to make its move—not only as a new rival, but quite possibly as a new champion!
016 ALL SYSTEMS GO…FOR NOW!
by Andy Ross
Although the NCAA Division III and NAIA had canceled their championship swimming and diving meets in early February, NCAA Division II was still a “go,” thereby preserving the possibility for Queens University of Charlotte to pursue its sixth straight men’s and women’s team titles.
018 DOC’S GUYS
by John Lohn
In the late 1960s into the early 1970s, Doc Counsilman’s Indiana University swimming program was a focal point of the sport. His legendary teams were a dominant presence not just on the collegiate scene, but also on the national—and international—stage.
021 THE “MOUNT RUSHMORE” OF NCAA DIVISION I SWIMMING
by Andy Ross
If there were a sculpture made of the top American NCAA Division I swimmers similar to the one depicting four U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore, Tracy Caulkins, Natalie Coughlin, Pablo Morales and John Naber would be worthy honorees. No other swimmer has won more NCAA D-I individual titles than those four.
024 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: OLYMPIC RIVALRIES OF YESTERYEAR
by John Lohn
Rivalries have always defined the sport. Michael Phelps vs. Ian Crocker. Gary Hall Jr. vs. Alexander Popov. Shirley Babashoff vs. East Germany. These are just a few rivalries that stand out and should long be remembered. But what about the rivalries from the early days of swimming? As our “Takeoff to Tokyo” series continues, Swimming World takes a look at some of these rivalries from yesteryear.
026 WHO IS THIS GUY?
by David Rieder
Before the summer of 2019, Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas had been swimming under the radar. But if his performances since then are any indication, the end results could be spectacular. His coaches see his potential as basically unlimited, and recent history makes it tough to disagree. As for Casas, he has similarly lofty expectations for himself.
029 ISHOF: THE VALUE OF SWIMMING IN WAR
by Bruce Wigo
In the early 1900s, there was scarcely an American alive who was unfamiliar with the name of Frederick Funston. He was the most decorated and celebrated hero of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902)—famous in military and swimming history for his willingness to have his men swim across rivers, under fire, when, according to press reports, “They couldn’t otherwise get at the enemy quickly enough to suit them.”
COACHING
041 SPECIAL SETS: BOWE KNOWS SWIMMING
by Michael J. Stott
Bowe Becker has trained with Sandpipers of Nevada coaches Ron Aitken and Cutter Haupt as well as Kelly Kremer at the University of Minnesota (2015-19). The eight-time NCAA All-American, Big Ten champion and conference record holder in the 50-100 free now swims with the ISL’s Cali Condors. Coach Haupt provides some sample workouts from November 2014, which were done prior to that year’s December sectionals.
043 Q&A WITH COACH MATT BARANY
by Michael J. Stott
044 HOW THEY TRAIN MAGGIE PURCELL
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
040 DRYSIDE TRAINING: PULLING POWER
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
046 UP & COMERS: LIAM CUSTER
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
009 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT PRINCE DABULAMANZI & THE BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA?
011 THE OFFICIAL WORD
032 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY
047 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
048 GUTTERTALK
049 PARTING SHOT
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