Brecon Barracks is preparing to welcome royalty once again this month as part of a special event celebrating the historic links between Wales and the Zulu nation.

Her Royal Highness Princess Zama Zulu of KwaZulu-Natal will be attending the event on Saturday, March 28, organised by the Friends of the Royal Welsh Museum.

Event organiser and chair Dorcas Cresswell said: “We are so happy to be welcoming a member of the Zulu royal family back to Brecon this year. It was an honour for me to work closely with the Princess’s late cousin, King Goodwill, with whom I built an excellent relationship.

“I hope that by continuing this work with younger generations of the Zulu royal family, we are building a lasting legacy of mutual respect and understanding between our two nations.”

His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini visiting Brecon last summer
His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini visiting Brecon last summer (Image supplied)

The South African High Commissioner, Jeremiah Mamabola, will also attend as a guest of honour.

The celebration has received a grant from Brecon Town Council to help fund the event. The day will feature a mix of African culture, Welsh music, children’s activities, war games and military history. Visitors can enjoy traditional South African food and drink, African clothing and beading, music and dance.

Zulu singer and dancer Dr Busi Mhlanga will perform throughout the day and invite visitors to try traditional Zulu drumming.

The event will also include talks on the Capture of King Cetshwayo and the Battle of Hlobane by Anglo-Zulu War historian John Young. Living history groups representing the 24th Regiment of Foot and the Marquess of Winchester’s Regiment will demonstrate Victorian military life.

Special guests will include the Royal Welsh regimental goat, Shenkin, and the Queen’s Dragoon Guards’ mascot, Trooper Emrys Forlan Jones, a Welsh Mountain pony.

A mix of music, dance, food, and history will entertain visitors at the upcoming celebration
A mix of music, dance, food, and history will entertain visitors at the upcoming celebration (Image supplied)

Glyn Baker, son of actor Stanley Baker, will compere the day and has loaned his father’s KB award to the museum for a new exhibition, Reel to Real: The Anglo-Zulu War in Modern Culture.

Museum curator Amanda Rosewarne said: “We are thrilled to be able to display Sir Stanley Baker’s award as part of an exhibition about the movie Zulu, and to have Glyn Baker himself hosting our Zulu celebration later this month. It really is going to be a memorable day out.”

Tickets and more information are available at: www.royalwelshmuseum.wales/kings-legacy-event