Overview 

This state was one of the Nguni states. In this booklet, the following subtopics will be discussed: the rise
of Tshaka, his military reforms, political structure, social organization and economic activities. The
causes of Mfecane, results of Mfecane and the reasons for Tshaka’s downfall will be discussed. The
learners are also encouraged to read about the Zulu state under Dingane, Mpande and Cetshwayo. They
should read about the Anglo Zulu war as well as the fall of the Zulu state.

States and their leaders in Northern Nguni in the 19th century  

 Mthetwa under Dhingiswayo

 Ndwandwe under Zwide

 Ngwane under Matiwane

Tshaka’s military reforms

 Scotched earth policy

 Soldiers were to run bare foot

 The cow horn formation

 The use of the assegai

 The use of the Zulu shield

 Surprise night attack

 Spy networking

 Use of smoke for communication

Leaders and their groups who fled from Mfecane

 Mzilikazi and the Khumalo

 Sebitwane and the Kololo

 Sobhuza and the Ngwane

 Soshangane and the Shangani

 Zwangendaba and the Jere Ngoni

 

Problems faced by Tshaka as a king

 Faced hatred due to expansionist policies

 Death of Nandi his mother

 Jealous relatives

 Enemies in his army

 Rebellion of Mzilikazi

 Threats from expansionist Boers and British

 His army commanders were unfaithful 

 Shortage of resources

Reasons for the downfall of Tshaka

 Tshaka was dictatorial

 His strict discipline created enemies

 Mass killing of people

 Ambitious relatives

 Jealous of his relatives

 He neglected advise of his advisors

 Threats of the Whites

People who plotted the downfall of Tshaka

 Mkabayi

 Mhlangane

 Dingane

 Mbhopha
 Mfokazana

The rise of Tshaka

Tshaka was the son of Nandi and his father was Senzangakona, a Zulu chief. He spent his childhood
among his mother’s people because he is believed to have been an illegitimate son. It was during hi
tender age when Tshaka showed signs of bravery. He thus distinguished himself and gained influence
among other herd boys. By 1809 Tshaka joined the army of Dhingiswayo who led the Mthetwa. Through
his bravery and ability in terms of leadership, Tshaka stole the heart of Dhingiswayo and was diverted to
the rank of a regimental leader. 

Within the army, Tshaka emerged as an extraordinary military thinker. Through his ability, Tshaka finally
commanded Dhingiswayo’s army. In 1816 when his father died, Tshaka was assisted by Dhingiswayo to
ascend the Zulu throne. In order to remove all possible threats, Tshaka killed his half-brother, Sigujana,
who was to rule the Zulu state. Once Tshaka achieved political power, he began to revolutionise the Zulu
military and political structures.

Military reforms of Tshaka

Tshaka introduced the short stabbing spear called an assegai. This type of a spear was not to be thrown
but rather each warrior was to march to the enemy and stab him. An assegai was to be returned after an
expedition and whosoever lost his assegai was severely punished and labelled coward.

Tshaka also introduced the long shield which was often a height of a man. This shield was used together
with an assegai and was used to protect the Zulu soldier from the spears of the enemies. The shield was
used to hook the shield of an enemy in order to expose his belly and the stab him with an assegai.
The cow horn formation was a military battle tactic which enabled the Zulu warrior to envelope an
enemy and attack him. The bravest warriors were to face the enemy while other forces on either sides
would envelope the enemy and then attack him without escape.

Tshaka maintained the regimental system established by Dhingiswayo. Both boys and girls were
recruited into the age regiments. Each regiment was identified by a peculiar military regalia (dress). All
the members of a regiment were supposed to be forty years and below.

No young man was allowed to marry until after he washed sufficiently his assegai with the