Shaka (Chaka) was born towards the end of the 18th century in what is now KwaZulu-Natal. His mother, Nandi, was the daughter of a past chief of the Elangeni tribe and his father Senzangakona was the chief of the very small Zulu tribe. Nandi was barely tolerated by the Zulu people and Shaka’s childhood was difficult as he was continuously teased and ridiculed and made to feel that he did not belong. As a result he grew up to be an angry and bitter man but also strong willed with a determination to always be the conqueror.
He became a warrior in the Mtetwe tribe and he was recognized as an outstanding soldier by the chief of the Mtetwe, King Dingiswayo. Shaka had conquered the small Zulu tribe in his first battle and Dingiswayo decided to train Shaka to be the Zulu chief and when the Zulu chief Senzangakona died, Shaka became chief.
In 1816 when Shaka became chief of the small Zulu tribe it numbered no more than 1500 people. He immediately started building a very rigidly disciplined, extremely tough and ruthless army. Within a year and after defeating many small tribes and incorporating them into the Zulu Nation, Shaka had built his army up to more than 20,000 men.
Shaka’s army was invincible and by 1820 he was King of all the territories in Natal and South East Africa. The white men who had arrived in the area were admired by Shaka as they had given him medical treatment after he had been stabbed by one of his enemies. In gratitude he handed over land to them and in turn they helped him conquer other parts of South Africa.
After the death of his mother Nandi, Shaka’s grief turned to unbelievable rage and he ordered thousands of people to be executed in her memory. It seemed that Shaka was losing his mind and as a result his regiments (Impis) started to lose battles and eventually his two half brothers Dingaan and Mhlangana, after two previous attempts, were successful in assassinating Shaka, with Dingaan immediately claiming control and becoming the new Zulu King.
Despite his tyrannical actions Shaka Zulu still is known as one of history’s great warriors and Kings.
Between Eshowe and Melmoth in KwaZulu-Natal there are 3 Zulu “Living museums” which are becoming very popular as they offer visitors full day and overnight experiences of kraal life. The largest of these is a hotel and beehive huts complete with en suite bathrooms.
