Formed between 1820 and 1827, and by the outbreak of the 1879 Zulu War, these warriors were considered mostly older veterans being well into their fifties.

The uMbonambi carried a black shield of a ‘junior’ colour – retained throughout the regiment’s history. They wore feathers of the crested lourie, and around their necks a circlet of charms to denote their having killed many times in battle.

The regiment fought in the battles of Isandhlwana, Kambula, and Gingindlovu.