The oldest town in Zululand and situated around the Dlinza indigenous forest, Eshowe derives its name from the tranquil, whispering breezes blowing through the trees. On a plateau protected from the sub-tropical humidity affecting surrounding areas, it was for centuries a popular 'holiday destination' for successive Zulu kings.
The Norwegian
missionary-settlers established the KwaMondi Mission in 1860, around which
Fort Eshowe was built and where the force of Colonel Pearston was besieged
for 10 weeks in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Eshowe was in 1887 proclaimed
a magistracy and capital - when Britain annexed Zululand.