Zulus, Matabele and Boers - He Terrified the Enemy: Johan Colenbrander - The Frontier Legend

Today we are talking about a man so tough - that they nicknamed him the “White whirlwind”
So, who was he? His name was Johan Colenbrander.
He fought in the Zulu War, was an advisor to King Lobengula of the Matabele, and then, during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War, set up a unit of frontiersmen called ‘Kitchener's Fighting Scouts’ - now that is a cool name.
Special Thanks to my mate Cam Simpson who helped to research and write this episode. Here is a link to his books - amzn.to/489sSfI
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

[@russellcollins6718]

Mate, as an old South African you nailed the pronunciation of the Zulu names. This gives you a great deal of credibility. When European content makers get this important detail wrong, it just crushes the credibility. Well done.

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks. It's taken a long time and a lot of practice.

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

It’s the smaller forgotten people and actions that are so fascinating , great video so well presented.👏👏👍

[@speakupriseup4549]

I imagine slowly dying in a bed is not what he would have wanted.

[@redcoathistory]

Fair point.

[@russellcollins6718]

You also got the Afrikaans name correct, Very Impressed

[@henkbarnard1553]

My Great-grandfather fought against him in the 2nd boar War.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for sharing, Henk.

[@TheBushmanmike]

Colenbrander is a legend in Rhodesia. His nickname was Jowaan by the Ndebele, his farm was on the Umgusa just outside Bulawayo .

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Mike. Do you know where his grave is? I found a pic but not a location.

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@redcoathistory I thought the body was never recovered? I would love to see the pic if possible and i can ask my brother to check the Bulawayo cemetaries for it, he lives there

[@TheBushmanmike]

@@redcoathistory I have contacted my brother and he says Jowhaan is buried in the Brixton Cemetary of Johannesburg so it appears the body was recovered. UNless it is just a memorial.

[@redcoathistory]

@@TheBushmanmike that’s fantastic. Thanks a lot for the info - I am not far from that cemetery so will look it ups

[@TheBushmanmike]

Let me know how it goes, thanks @@redcoathistory

[@shaneduggan7901]

Brave or nutty men running into the Martini Henry and fighting amongst themselves. The mind boggles.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Great video. Love your content. You should do a video on Frederick Russell Burnham DSO. Cheers Ron

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - Burnham is defintely on my list - what a character!

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Most interesting. I've come across his name before but I knew nothing about his details. Incredible he pulled an assagai out and killed its owner with it. Certainly an eventful life. Enjoyed the connection to Grants whisky. One of my faves. I can't really afford the more expensive stuff too often 😂.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

I posted just before I heard the very last part. I didn't expect that ending for him. Yikes. So unfortunate.

[@redcoathistory]

@@lyndoncmp5751 Yep, I am learning about these characters from my good mate Cam Simpson - amazing and fascinating men. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@redcoathistory Better late than never, sorry. ✌

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

There is so much to Colenbrander. Even his Boer War experiences with Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts was eventful on a daily basis.

[@redcoathistory]

Yep, what a fascinating character - thanks mate

[@Matty10thDVN]

Again good Sir, you have surpassed yourself. Huzzah

[@Matty10thDVN]

@@patrickcooper2918 No I do not know him but the fact the content is of different person or a small group in a different conflict is interesting. To shed light on less known campaigns or actions is a good thing but that's just my opinion.

[@caeruleusvm7621]

@@Matty10thDVN An opinion obviously shared by many subscribers of this channel.

[@redcoathistory]

Thank you kindly. I'm not sure why @patrickcooper is trying to pick a fight with me but appreciate your kind words.

[@redcoathistory]

How am I a shyster? Do we know eachother or are you just trolling me Patrick? For anyone following this thread I've now blocked Patrick as he clearly had a personal problem with me and I have no idea why. A classic bedroom warrior.

[@caeruleusvm7621]

@@redcoathistory I don't know if I'd give him any kind of "warrior" status at all. Trolls are sad and bored people who often spout bizarre rubbish that nobody understands - simply to get some kind of attention. You have many fans, myself included, who enjoy this rather niche history detail. And well done with your brave efforts to pronounce "Cetshwayo" properly.

[@catholicmilitantUSA]

Oh wow really looking forward to this episode! I'm watching the Cecil Rhodes series on You Tube and Colenbrander is very prominent in it, in the tv series he looks like a Viking.

[@gerryhasell7828]

Always a great watch and narration - love it

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Gerry

[@louisduplessis2075]

A long time ago I worked in Northern Natal...in the area around the small town of Louwsburg...near the Itala game reserve...there were two farmers with the Colenbrander surname...they looked completely different...one small and wiry...the other one quite the opposite...wonder where they fit into the picture...the name Colenbrander possibility .. originally meant burner ..or maker of charcoal...or coal...

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

Well done for your Zulu clicks and once again your Afrikaans pronunciation is good for a British person 😊

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks. Funnily enough I struggle more with Afrikaans words than I do Zulu. Ill keep practicing.

[@mktf5582]

Please do British warriors throughout history.

[@keithagn]

Super interesting story, and very well told! Thank you, Chris! Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for watching Keith. Always good to hear from you.

[@FranciscoPreira]

Great fighter and a great hero indeed, thanks for sharing. A happy and great new year for you and your family, best regards mate.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate - same to you. Have a brilliant 2024 and please be sure to keep in touch.

[@ddoherty5956]

I would change my name to Colander to lead Kitchener's scouts.🤣🤣🤣

[@ddoherty5956]

@@patrickcooper2918 I know who and what Kitchener was and he was worse to the Brits in WW1 than the Boer, the point is a colender is a kitchen utensil that can be made by removing the word bran (another Kitchen related item) from the man's name, it was a word joke Patrick.

[@ddoherty5956]

@@patrickcooper2918 👍

[@ducthman4737]

Colenbrander translated into English would be Coal Burner.

[@kiwifruit27]

Don’t tell Greta 😂

[@ducthman4737]

@@kiwifruit27 The Holy Santa Greta who would live under a mile of ice were it not for climate change just 12,000 years ago that took us out of the last glacial period that had lasted for 80,000 years. She belongs to the most privileged young people that have ever lived on this planet. It seems she doesn't know a lot of history.

[@alexedward7146]

another brilliant video

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it. Hope all is well.

[@hellequingentlemanbastard9497]

I wonder if he knew what happened to Lobengula's Diamonds? They way Lobengula displayed those Diamonds was that his entire body was at first coated in fat and into that fat the diamonds were set. He was a massive man. According to legend Lobengula was buried with them and nobody knows where.

[@redcoathistory]

I haven't heard ths story of the diamonds - thanks for sharing.

[@mktf5582]

Richard Francis Burton = British Victorian Indiana Jones,next please.

[@redcoathistory]

Another brilliant character! Thanks for reminding me of him.

[@Geambasu169]

Like Lord Elgin indeed 😊

[@eddylloyd7413]

South Africa is even more dangerous now.

[@Jubilo1]

Another ripping episode !

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks!

[@goodbarbenie5477]

Oh... History... History. "History is just a pack of lies agreed upon". Napoleon Bonaparte...😊...

[@redcoathistory]

Feel free to point out all of the lies.

[@westcountrypirate7504]

Another great video , keep up the good work

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot.