King Dingane, after ordering the execution of Piet Retief and his party at Kwa-Matiwane near uMgungundlovu in the eMakhosini Valley, on the 6 February 1838, commanded his impis to exterminate the rest of the Voortrekkers in Natal. The Zulu overran many Voortrekker encampments along the Bloukrans and Bushman rivers ( later known as Weenen) over the period of 16 to 18 February. However, the Voortrekkers managed to consolidate and ultimately drive the Zulu army away.
