In 1824, Henry Frances Fynn, an intrepid explorer, etched his name in history as the first white man to encounter King Shaka. Fynn’s medical expertise proved invaluable when Shaka fell victim to an attack and was wounded. Despite their deep bond, Fynn always felt a sense of unease in Shaka’s presence, as the slightest misstep could have dire consequences.
After Shaka’s tragic demise in 1828, Fynn ventured southward and eventually found himself serving as a translator for Governor Benjamin D’Urban. In 1855, Fynn assumed the role of magistrate and settled near Umzinto.
Fast forward to 1859, when John Bazley and his family embarked on a new chapter. They made their home on the enchanting Nil Desperandum farm, nestled along the Ifafa River, approximately 6 km upstream. However, during the construction phase, John Bazley accidentally suffered a severe leg wound.
Fynn, renowned for his medical skills, swiftly arrived on horseback. Employing resourcefulness and the healing powers of nature, he used cobwebs to staunch the bleeding and applied a poultice of herbs. Despite this setback, it took a month of dedicated care from Fynn for Bazley to make a full recovery.
Stay tuned for more captivating tales from Bazley’s vibrant past in our upcoming newsletters!
Henry Frances Fynn, an intrepid explorer, etched his name in history as the first white man to encounter King Shaka.
For a deeper exploration of Bazley’s rich history, you can acquire the book “Nil Desperandum: The Bazley Story” written by Denzil Bazley. To learn more and obtain a copy, please reach out to him via email at bazley@mweb.co.za
