ZULUS took Brecon by storm last week with impromptu appearances around the town and a three-night run at Theatr Brycheiniog of King Cetshwayo, written by Jerry Pooe, with an all-Zulu cast.

The musical, starring Mxolisi Bgubane as the king, looks at the Zulu way of life as well as following the king from the ultimatum from the British which led to the Anglo-Zulu war.

The musical included a mix of modern and traditional Zulu music and dancing. It was packed with explosive energy and used a mix of the English and isiZulu

With traditional drums and raw vocals, it was hard not to feel the fun aspect of an otherwise serious story. A twist on the stage set-up was the clips and photos of the film Zulu in the background as well as the multi-roles played by some of the cast. The performance started with a welcome from chair May Phillips and a ‘Praise Poet’ to sing the King’s praises in isiZulu as the Queen Mantfombi, one of wives of the King of the Zulu nation, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzul.

The Zulu princes and somebody on behalf of the king also attended the play.

Before the play there was a reception at Theatr Brycheiniog, open to the public, which honoured the connections between the Zulu nation and Brecon, as well as the Zulu royal party.

It included speeches from Brecon’s mayor Cllr Ieuan Willians, Dorcas Cresswell from the Royal Welsh Regimental Museum in Brecon, retired colonel Timothy Van Rees, the Lord Lieutenant of Powys Dame Shan Legge Bourke, Queen Mantfombi, as well as one of the princes and an official on behalf of the the King.

Canapes and drinks were provided as well as a chance for the public to speak to the Zulu royals.

Cllr Williams said: “I think the Zulus visiting and the play are a truly excellent thing for Brecon. We’ve had a really good reception to everything to do with the Zulu takeover so far.”

The mayor and Timothy Van Rees presented the royal party with a variety of small gifts including replicas of the plaque which accompany the Zulu tapestry in the Guildhall, a tie, a head scarf and a paper weight embossed with the Brecon County Council logo.

The reception and the play, featured for three nights only in Brecon, come as part of the Zulu invasion. Dorcas Cresswell said it was part of the ‘Sibanye’ celebration, which translates to “We are one”.

Zulus also took shoppers by surprise in the centre of Brecon on Saturday with a troop of 40-50 Zulus in traditional costume performing songs and dances around the town and in front of a growing crowd in Bethel Square.

The Zulu celebration is being held on the 135th anniversary of the king travelling to England.

After the Battles of Isandhlwana and of Rorke’s Drift, the unsuccessful British captured King Cetshwayo and razed the city of Undi.

After the king was exiled to Cape Town, he travelled to England

to seek support from the queen and British politicians. Queen Victoria agreed to reinstate him as the King of the Zulu Nation and to return him home

On behalf of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzul, an official said: “Let’s build upon this occasion with the British, Zulu and Welsh communities, and communities to come. In Africa there are mass graves filled with British Soldiers, Welsh Soldiers and Zulu Soldiers. His majesty is saying that if down there in the graves they can peacefully be one, so why can’t we be one up here?”For more see this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - on sale now