The inGobamakhosi also known as “The bender of Kings” was formed in 1873 of men born between 1850-1853 and was stationed at Old Ondini with the even younger uVe impi. Their strength at Isandlwana was about 6,000 men. In the attack on the camp they were positioned well apart from the uThulwana, with whom they had a standing feud over women which had began some years before.

They wore a leopard skin head band supporting cheek pieces and back pieces of green monkey skin. There were side plates of stiff white cow hide shaped like an “H” which were attached over the ears. From the centre of each “H” hung two white cow tails. Finally just above the side plates were bunches of widow-bird tail feathers pointing backwards. If the warriors were in parade dress they would also attach upright ostrich plumes at the front of the headgear. The shields were of several colour schemes, black, black and white, red and red and white. This variety was due to the regiment having been formed from several intangas (cohorts of men based on age) who had had to wait unusually long to be enrolled.

Since the inGobamakhosi were positioned away from the uThalwana, I decided to arm the inGobamakhosi with firearms and present them as a skirmish unit trying to pin down one side of the British defences whilst the other regiments attacked with force elsewhere.

Scale: 1/30
Material: Pewter alloy and synthetic fibers
Released Date: August 2026