History of king Shaka ka Senzangakhona

By Mlungisi Zwelihle Gumede

Who was Shaka?, How shaka has been
portrayed? What were the military tactics of king Shaka?

INTRODUCTION
Shaka was a wellknown political figure in the History of the Zulu people. In this short writings the above mentioned questions will be answered. This article will help university Students and school pupils(grade10).

Who was Shaka?

Insearch of history(127:2015)

Shaka zulu was commonly known as Sigidi ka Senzangakhona. He was the great zulu king and the conqueror. Shaka lived in an area of South east Africa between the Drankensburg and Indian ocean. He brought Many chiefdoms together under his control. Shaka was the son of Senzangakhona and his mother was Nandi who was the daughter of Elangeni chiefdom. Sources differ as to where Shaka was born but most says that Shaka was born at Senzangakhona's homestead but his parents were not married. Some sources says that Shaka was born at Elangeni ( Ngunga Homestead), the home of his mother. There is no exactly date towards the birth of King Shaka and it is estimated to be 1787.

Shaka's name is said to stem from Senzangakhona's claim that Nandi was not pregnant but was suffering from an intestinal condition caused by Itshaka or Ishaka (beetie). Despite his attempt to deny paternity, Senzangakhona eventually installed Nandi as the 3rd wife. Shaka spent his ealiest years at his fathers homestead (Esiklebheni Homestead) near Babanango. It locality known as the Emakhosini or Burial place of kings. The relationship between Senzangakhona and Nandi seems to have been unhappy and ended in the chieftain driving Nandi from his court.

Shaka grew up at Elangeni, Here he grew up as the fatherless child and that is why in some of his praise (izibongelo) says "Shaka the unsahakable, the powerful fatherless cub that turns the mountains to tombs" and he was cruel treated by the Elangeni boys. During this time there were two strong rival Nguni groups and these were Mthethwa under Chief Dingiswayo and the Ndwandwe under Zwide. During the great famine of 1802 known as Mdlantule Shaka ws taken to the Mthethwa, where shelter was found in the home of Nandis Aunt. He thus grew up in the court of Dingiswayo, who warm welcomed Shaka, However Shaka suffered heavy bullying and teasing by the Mthethwa boys. Shaka died on the 24th September 1824 at Stanger in Natal.

What were the military tactics of Shaka?

As Shaka was growing up at Mthethwa Homestead he was installed as the General of an army because of his military genius. He then developed military ideas, at first the Mthethwa army used the long handled spear that was thrown to stab the enemy from distance. Shaka changed these military tactics he said the long spear must be shortened and the shield must be long. The assegai (Iklwa) must not be hurled to the enermy but the platoon should go straight face to face and lift the arm of the enermy up to stab them. Shaka then proved his military system or strategies to the Mthethwas' andthen after he trained Amabutho as the General. Shaka conquered many chiefdoms using his Strategies.

How Shaka is portrayed?

Shaka have been portrayed in various ways by hustorians, Scholars of History and Poets through oral history. Shaka has been portrayed as the military genius because of his military tactics he brought to the Mthethwa's army. Some other sources of history portray Shaka as the cruel tyrant (ditactor) because he conquered numerous nations and wanted to be in control of everything. Shaka is often portrayed as the nation builder who expanded the zulu nation by conquering other nations to build his empire as an emperor. Historians must not just agree to any other sources because they are not reliable. Some history about Shaka were written by white settlers so they have little accurate information so it is advisable that researchers of history about Shaka read Primary Sources written in South Africa (Bottaro, Visser & Worden 126:2015)

Historians still asks them selves questions like was Shaka an iconic leader who provides inspirations to others?, A symbol of African pride and achievements?, A military genius?, A hero of great strength and courage who is celebrated for his success in the war fare? Anation builder, who created, organised and developed a nation?, A savage, cruel, ruthless and blood thisrty tyrant?, A legendary figure about whom were known very little?. Most of these questions are being answered by looking at what Shaka did during his reign however, some remained not answered ( Focus 146:2011)

Sources:

http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/shaka-zulu

Bottaro.J, Visser. P & Worden. N, 2015, In search of history grade 10; ABC Press cape town.

Johanneson. B, Fernandez.M & Robertd. B, 2011, Focus grade 10, Maskew MillerLongman.