The regiments of the 12 Zulu kings, including their prowess on the battlefield as well as their peacetime activities, will form the theme of the 2001 Kingdom of the Zulu calendar to be released by Tourism KZN in September. The launch will take place in Port Shepstone where it will be attended by King Goodwill Zwelithini. He will board the Tourism train to travel through the same terrain traversed by his predecessor King Shaka as he conquered small tribes up to the Umzimkulu River.

The calendar is the brainchild of entrepreneur Thembi Myeni. The first edition of the series portrayed the 12 Zulu kings from Mageba (1667-1745) to the present day. It sold thousands of copies on the local market and 5,000 copies internationally. The demand for next year’s issue is so great that 20,000 copies will be printed. In addition, other items will feature the same illustrations such as coffee mugs, souvenir tablecloths and place mats.