The thesis explores not only the history but also the competing histories of 1906. It is however no claim to represent the entire history - undoubtedly a period of great complexity, and a time of tragedy for the African people that culminated in their
conquest. My exploration of the history relies heavily on the reportage of J. L. Dube in his newspaper, Ilanga Lase Natal. A close analysis of Dube’s reports points to a number of crucial aspects, such as the fundamental importance of the amakhosi/chiefs, the clear
determination of the Natal settler government to break and undermine the power of the amakhosi, the central significance of the issue of land and the closely related matter of taxation. All these are contextualized in the African setting - homesteads and cattle,
with their profound traditional influence for many reasons in Zulu culture. My exploration and analysis has been carried out by looking concurrently at the usage of metaphor, words and language in the newspaper, the impact of which is mesmerising.
The translation and interpretation of the Ilanga texts needs someone inside the culture to understand Dube’s attitude and insight into the events centred around Dinuzulu, whom the amaZulu looked up to as their legitimate monarchy from the lineage of the Zulu
kings. The petition of Dube on behalf of amaZulu, urging Dinizulu’s innocence, clearly demonstrates the power of the intensely symbolic, metaphorical and rich isiZulu language, used by the editor in the service of their king. One gets a sense of a strong
Zulu nationalism rooted in the history of the kingdom, well captured in Dinuzulu’s obituary. The thesis explores Ilanga Lase Natal as a contrasting voice in relation to the 4 colonial mainstream historiography of James Stuart’s monograph: A History of the Zulu
Rebellion, 1906 and Dinuzulu’s Arrest, Trial and Expatriation.