Overview

The Ndebele state was born out of crises. Thus had it not been of Mfecane the state could not have
been created. Emphasis in this book is on the Khumalo migration as well as social, economic, political
and military organisations. Learners are advised to study further on the threats to the Ndebele Kingdom
as well as Ndebele-Shona relations.

Ndebele settlements during their migration

 ekhupumuleni

 emhlahlahlandhlela

 egabeni

 mosega

 endinaneni

 enkengwini

 tshweyane 

 
Groups fought by the Ndebele during their migration

 Hurutshe

 Kora

 Rolong

 Griqua

 British

 Boers

 Sotho

 Taung

People who occupied Western Zimbabwe when the Ndebele entered

 Rozvi

 Virwa
 Kalanga

 Nyubi

 Tonga

 Venda

Effects of migration on the Khumalo (later called Ndebele)

 The Sotho gave the Khumalo the name Ndebele

 Intermarriages

 Loss of life

 Establishment of friendship with Robert Moffart

 Cultural fusion         

 Loss of possessions during wars

 

Duties of the Ndebele king

 Commander in chief of the army

 The highest judge

 Chief administrator

 Presiding over religious ceremonies

 Distribution of captives and cattle

 Allocation of land

 Coordinated military strategy

 Got rid of opponents

Economic activities of the Ndebele  

 Trade
 Livestock production

 Tribute

 Raiding

 Hunting

 Blacksmithing

 Pottery and mining

Internal and external threats to the Ndebele

 Succession disputes after Mzilikazi’s death

 Resistance of the Shona e.g. Tohwechipi

 Cattle disease of 1860

 The 1847 Boer expedition

 Missionaries who supported the destruction of the Ndebele state

 Threat from concession seekers

Why the Ndebele state was regarded as democratic

 The existence of Mphakati and the Izikulu acted as check and balance to the king’s power.

 Indunas were selected on merit or ability.

 Captives were fairly treated e.g. Tohwechipi was spared by Mzilikazi in 1866   There was religious
tolerance.

 Subjects were allowed to pay tribute according to the resources they afford e.g. the Shangwe people
of Inyoka in Gokwe paid tribute inform of tobacco while the people of Mphosi paid inform of iron.

Why the Ndebele state was regarded as undemocratic

 More powers vested in the hands of the King

 Men could marry after the approval of the king

 Marriages between people of different classes were disapproved

 The existence of different classes with different privileges

 Language in toleration as the Ndebele language was regarded as official

 The largest herd of the cattle belonged to the King and the king ordered how to slaughter them.

 Newly conquered people were subjected to considerable amount of bullying.

The Khumalo migration

Facing the fierce wrath of Tshaka after failing to surrender the raided booty, Mzilikazi (the leader of the
Khumalo under the Zulu) fled with his followers in search of a safe place to establish his kingdom.
Mzilikazi with less than 300 people fled into the interior crossing the Drakensberg. The Khumalo first
settled at Ekhupumuleni (a place of rest) in 1824.

Mzilikazi raided the local people and the Ndzundza people were later absorbed into the Khumalo horde.
He raided cattle and capturing women and children in order to increase his people. However, the
Ndebele (as the Sotho called them) abandoned Ekhupumuleni and moved further because they
experienced severe drought and were often raided by the Zulu warriors.

Between 1825 and 1829 Mzilikazi moved to central Transvaal and established his new capital at
Emhlahlandlela. Here the raids were carried out to northern and central Transvaal as well as Botswana
and Lesotho. Cattle and captives were brought in from these raids to swell the Ndebele herds and to
increase the population. At this place Mzilikazi met Robert Moffart (a missionary) and the two became
friends. This place was not safe for settleme