This corps was originally formed in April, 1883, under the authority of the Imperial Government, by Colonel G. Mansel (late Chief Commissioner of Police, Natal). The 50 non-commissioned officers and men of whom the corps consisted, half of them recruited in Natal,[371] were under the command of two European officers, and were originally enrolled as bodyguard to the Resident Commissioner (the late Sir Melmoth Osborn, K.C.M.G.). They served with distinction during the disturbances of 1884. Although attacked at Maqonga, near Nkandhla, by about 2,500 Zulus—the Resident Commissioner being with them—they held their ground and drove off the enemy with considerable loss, and this in spite of warning as to their probable untrustworthiness from John Dunn, a man intimately acquainted with the country. The force was augmented in succeeding years and became almost entirely an infantry one. During the Zululand disturbances of 1888, the men again greatly distinguished themselves, notably at Ceza, Lower Umfolozi magistracy and Hlopekulu. On every occasion, though pitted against overwhelming odds, they fought steadily, effectively and with the utmost courage, without betraying at any time the least sign of breach of faith or disloyalty.
The personnel continued to increase from 250 in 1889 to 500 in 1899. During the Boer War, the numbers were again raised to 600, with 8 European officers, Inspector C.E. Fairlie taking command. The corps was then employed chiefly in and about Melmoth, in putting the place into a state of defence and escorting convoys. In September, 1904, it was suddenly disbanded by direction of the Natal Government.
During such time as the force existed, the men were disciplined, drilled and equipped to a large extent on the same lines as European troops; they were armed with Martini-Henry rifles, and lived in barracks. Each man was obliged to serve for three years, with the right of re-enlisting. Many took advantage of the right. It is estimated that, between 1883 and 1904, some 3,000 to 4,000 served in the ranks.
When the 1906 Rebellion broke out, the Government re-established the force under Fairlie. With Mansel's assistance, about 100 men were recruited, but only with the greatest difficulty, owing to their feeling sore at having been summarily disbanded in 1904. The reader will find several references in this history to the conspicuous services rendered by this really excellent body of men, notably at Bobe and Mome. They were disbanded once more in November, 1906.
The following, from a report by Colonel Mansel, will be perused with interest: "I wish to bear full testimony to the value of Zulus as soldiers. Their instincts are wholly military. When you enlist a Zulu, you have a ready-made soldier.... All you have to do is to teach him how to handle a rifle. This you can do in about three or four months. He is then as good as he will ever become. He is, as a rule, the best-tempered, most easily-managed man in the world; understands discipline by instinct; is docile, plucky, proud of himself and his corps; kindly-disposed towards his officers; full of mettle, and capable of enduring the extremes of marching and hunger.... Though often fighting against his own kith and kin, not a single case of treachery or breach of faith ever occurred."
(iii) Proposed Creation of a Permanent Native Corps.
The oft-repeated experiment of forming corps of coloured people inhabiting countries conquered by England, has apparently met with success in the main. The problem is, however, by no means an easy one to deal with, and it is generally owing to inability on the part of the rulers to formulate sound and workable schemes that failure has occasionally attended their efforts. Utilization of often excellent fighting material, as, for instance, may be found in the Zulus, is obviously a matter of importance, and any intention by a Government to establish such corps is deserving of careful consideration. But irresolution in a matter of this kind does more harm than good. Rather not make any attempt than be half-hearted or lukewarm. It has been seen that a Native police corps was formed as long ago as 1848, only to be disbanded a few years later without any reasons being given. Similar half-heartedness is observable in the foregoing account of the N.N.H. and the Z.N.P.
Any reflecting person will, we venture to think, arrive at the conclusion that a Native corps, established on a sound basis, is a wise and necessary provision, and this from several points of view. It does what nothing else can do so well, namely, proves to the people that the Government has confidence in them (as it unquestionably ought to have) and, by enabling them to share directly in the defence of the State, powerfully induces them to take a deep and abiding interest in the welfare, not only of themselves, but of the entire community, white and black. Thus the primary object in establishing a corps is not so much the intrinsic value of the fighting material recruited, as that it is an outward and visible sign to Natives in general that the rulers look on their interests as indissolubly connected with those of Europeans, which is only another way of saying that a premium is set on the promotion of patriotism, loyalty and contentment. As matters are at present in South Africa, anyone can see with half an eye that, in the absence of these corps, the respective Governments have neglected to use material that lies near at hand. The splendid record of the N.N.H. and Z.N.P., and the consistent loyalty of each in all vicissitudes, are as sure a guarantee as could be desired, that they would be loyal. If a permanently-established corps be but treated in a fair and reasonable manner, it is impossible to see what object any of its members would have for becoming mutinous or disloyal.