Brief History of Weenen

Massacre of Weenen, 16 February 1838.

When Dingane took over the Zulu leadership - he and his brother Mhlangane assassinated the powerful Shaka - covetous eyes were being cast upon Natal as a possible settlement for whites. Principal among these was one group of the Voortrekkers who (under Piet Retief) negotiated a controversial treaty with Dingane in 1838, which was said to give them the right to settle in part of Zululand.
Apparently, Dingane invited the Voortrekker leader and his party to a dancing competition at his kraal, Mgungundlovu - the 'Place of the Great Elephant'. According to witnesses, Dingane awaited his moment and then ordered his warriors to 'seize the wizards'. The unarmed trekkers were killed, as well as some 281 white men, women and children and more than 200 coloured servants at the Boer encampment - which became the town of Weenen (Weeping), 16 February 1838.