Fort Nongqayi

Fort Nongqayi, near Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, was built to house the barefoot Zulu police force known as the Nongqayi.

Their aim was to force the British authority after the Anglo-Zulu War and to protect the resident commissioner, Sir Melmoth Osborn. The fort was built in 1883 about 2 kilometres from the town center on a high point that offers a view in all directions. This police unit was based here until 1904 and then disbanded, but was called back in 1906 to help the authorities suppress the Bambatha Rebellion. After that it was finally dissolved.

The building has three towers and a spacious courtyard. Bullet holes were built into the walls to repel possible attackers.

Since 1961, the village museum has been established in and around the fort. It pays particular attention to the military, cultural and missionary history of the region.