TRANSFORMATIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AFTER 1750Political revolution in the east, 1750 1820.

1. Topic 4: Transformations in
Southern Africa after 1750
WHAT WAS SOUTH AFRICA LIKE IN 1750?
Political changes from 1750 to 1820

2. Introduction
• Certainly, as our studies have indicated,
between 1750 and 1850, significant
advancements led to a fundamental shift in the
characteristics of African communities.
• Freshly-formed political entities emerged,
coinciding with a phase of conflict and disruption
that spanned both the southeastern coastal
regions and the inland territories of the western
Highveld.

3. During the 1820’s and 1830’s
• During this period, certain chiefdoms were
assimilated by larger entities, while entirely new
kingdoms emerged.
• Some of these kingdoms grew in influence,
resulting in an increase of their power.
• Additionally, a considerable number of
individuals were compelled to migrate to
different parts of southern Africa due to the
circumstances.

4. The rise of the Ndwandwe Kingdom
under Zwide
• Contemporary historians posit that several
significant realms engaged in a power struggle
within the south eastern part of southern Africa.
• Among these, the Zulu was merely a single
entity, while another influential kingdom known
as the Ndwandwe was also part of this
competition.
• Governed by King Zwide, the Ndwandwe
resided to the south of Delagoa Bay and shifted
their location between the middle Phongola and
Black Mfolozi Rivers.

5. The Ndwandwe Kingdom and the
Mthethwa
• In the 18th century, the Mthethwa realm
emerged in the southeastern part of southern
Africa, situated to the south of Delagoa Bay and
extending inland.
• King Dingiswayo was the ruler of the Mthethwa
kingdom, and he stood as the primary contender
and significant challenge to King Zwide's
authority.
• During this period, Shaka's relatively small Zulu
chiefdom did not pose a substantial threat to
Zwide's dominion.

6. • Subsequently, in a conflict against the
Ndwandwe, Dingiswayo was captured and
executed, while his troops suffered a defeat and
were pushed back chaotically.
• As a result, the Ndwandwe became the
predominant force to the east of the
Drakensberg mountain range.
• Following Dingiswayo's demise, the Mthethwa
aligned with Shaka.
• Under Shaka's rapid ascent, the Zulu chiefdom
began to once again pose a threat to the
Ndwandwe.
Dingiswayo the wanderer and the rise of
Shaka.

7. Zwide and the Ndwandwe
Kingdom
• During 1818, the forces of Zwide achieved
victory over the Mthethwa Kingdom.
• Subsequently, Zwide devised a strategy to
eliminate the Zulu Kingdom led by Shaka.
• In the year 1820, Zwide launched an assault on
the Zulu Kingdom, seeking to eradicate it as a
competing stronghold of influence.
• Thanks to Shaka's capable leadership, the Zulu
managed to evade annihilation by concealing or
eliminating their grain reserves and withdrawing
to the southern region along with their livestock.

8. The break-up of the Ndwandwe
Kingdom.
• During 1820, a faction of the Ndwandwe faction
disassociated themselves from Zwide, led by a
chief named Zikode. This group later established
the Gaza kingdom in the regions of southern
and central Mozambique.
• In the early 1820s, the Ndwandwe expelled the
smaller Khumalo chiefdom, led by their chief
Mzilikazi. This group then became the
foundational core of the Ndebele kingdom.

9. Continued
• In 1826, the Ndwandwe, under Zwide's
command, disintegrated after facing defeat at
the hands of the Zulu kingdom, led by Shaka.
Segments of the Ndwandwe populace continued
to exist within unified entities among the Zulu,
Swazi, and Ndebele communities.

10. Rise of the Zulu state and its
consolidation under Dingane
• During the period of competition between
Dingiswayo's Mthethwa kingdom and Zwide's
Ndwandwe kingdom, an individual named Shaka
ka Senzangakhona held the position of leader
within the modest Zulu clan.
• Shaka offered homage to Dingiswayo and
served as a soldier within one of the Mthethwa
regiments for a span of several years.

11. Continued
• Following the passing of Dingiswayo and the
downfall of his Mthethwa realm, Shaka
undertook the establishment of a robust
kingdom employing advanced military strategies.
• Shaka meticulously restructured the Zulu
kingdom, drawing upon his acquired military
knowledge from both Zwide and Dingiswayo.
• By the time of his demise in 1828, Shaka had
managed to wield authority over an
exceptionally potent and influential kingdom.

12. Continued
• Numerous accounts depict Shaka as a leader who
expected the utmost discipline and excellence from
his warriors. It's also thought that Shaka introduced
innovative combat strategies, contributing to the
ascent of the Zulu state's influence.
• Nevertheless, challenges to Shaka's rule emerged
from within the Zulu royal house, despite his stringent
control. The struggle against their primary adversary,
the Ndwandwe, somewhat overshadowed this
opposition.
• However, as the Ndwandwe were vanquished,
opposition to Shaka from within the Zulu community
gained momentum and extended its reach.

13. The death of Shaka
• A plot started to form among Shaka's siblings
with the intent of assassinating him.
• In 1828, he was fatally stabbed by his brothers,
Dingane and Mhlangana.
• Following this, Dingane ordered the execution of
Mhlangana and assumed the role of king,
solidifying the dominance of the Zulu kingdom.
• When the Boer trekkers arrived within Dingane's
domain, they encountered an unforeseen
military presence.

14. Dingane
• Dingane's primary challenge at the outset of his
kingship was to ensure the allegiance of the
amabutho, or the fighting units.
• To accomplish this, he permitted senior amabutho
members to marry and establish their own
households.
• He also bestowed cattle upon them.
• Additionally, he eliminated anyone he suspected of
being a potential rival.
• Dingane swiftly established his control over the
Zulu kingdom, setting up his main residence at
Mmungungundlovu.

15. References.
• Maretha Spies. TRANSFORMATIONS IN
SOUTHERN AFRICA AFTER 1750Political
revolution in the east, 1750 1820. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/MarethaSpies/transfo
rmations-in-southern-africa-after-1750political-
revolution-in-the-east-1750-1820