Shaka kaSenzangakhona was born in 1787 and died on 22 September 1828 he is widely known as Shaka Zulu and Sigidi kaSenzangakhona.
His father was the chief of the Zulu, certainly Zulu at that time was just a small chiefdom in a hilly rolling, beautiful typical land between the Drakensberg mountain and the Indian Ocean, with a population of about 4500 people, the Zulu was part of Nguni southern Bantu.
According to the Nguni culture shaka’s father Senzangakona and his mother, Nandi was not officially married because Nandi was a concubine this denied him a chance for shaka to grow up in the kingdom palace, he was raised by his mother after rejects by the royal family.
Dejected and disappointed shaka decided to join the army of Dingiswayo, who had created a loose confederation of several Nguni southern chiefdoms.
Brilliant Shaka then established himself as a soldier in one of Dingiswayo’s age regiments, and he became a commander, he slowly impressed his boss Dingiswayo who then promoted him to his general army commander. Not every general begins as a great soldier.
SHAKA RISES TO POWER
Shaka’s luck struck when his father Senzangakona died in 1816. Under the patronage of a new godfather, Dingiswayo Shaka made a maiden return to Zulu and seized chieftainship, he was not the immediate legitimate successor because his mother was not the official wife of Senzangakona.
Every leader must be lucky indeed Shaka was, 1818 new godfather Dingiswayo kicked the bucket, and without taking no chances Shaka was well positioned to occupy the political vacuum left by Dingiswayo
By 1818 shaka started to expand his new confederation and expansion of his new kingdom, to do this he had to make changes in the military
The year 1818 begins Shaka’s only decade of real power. He took Dingiswayo’s loose confederation and intensified the expansion of his new kingdom, to do he had to make changes in the military, he initiated the use of a new, short stabbing iron spear with a bigger oval shied the Shaka’s army used a new and shorter stabbing iron spear and a much larger oval for infantry advance something quite reminiscent of the Roman phalanx.
However many people died in the path of Shaka’s wars of expansion only survivors would be amalgamated into his age regiments including the female regiments who played a crucial role, especially in spying on top army officers.
To him expansion meant Zulu would be the greatest kingdom in southern Africa, and all the conquered neighborhoods were forced to adapt to Zulu culture and traditions, it’s not surprising that up to today Zulu is the largest single ethnic identity in South Africa.
HIS DOWNFALL
Shaka lost it all when his beloved mother Nandi died in 1827, he failed to control his emotions and judgment, and he declared a full year of morning where men were not allowed to have sex with their wives.
On September 24 Shaka was assassinated by his half brothers who were led by Dingane, who later also turned his fellow conspirators and murdered them.
Shaka’s legacy has always been significant in South African history, and it has always been contested. Was he a hero or villain? Apartheid-era whites tended to paint him as a bloodthirsty tyrant, just the sort of thing to expect without white rule. Others saw and still see him as greatness itself and wrap themselves in his mantle.
Kamukama Rukundo Clinton is a Ugandan freelance journalist, book author, and columnist for 1cananews who can be contacted via WhatsApp at +25670439540 and rukundopeter33@gmail.com
