| KwaZulu-Natal is washed by the warm waters of | | | | he attacked were the eLangeni. |
| the Indian Ocean, with its subtropical coastline, | | | | Shaka's Zulu warriors or amabutho were truly |
| sweeping savannah in the east and magnificent | | | | legendary, and stories of the grueling and often |
| Drakensberg mountain range in the west, | | | | cruel training are innumerable. However, Shaka |
| generously caters for just about every taste | | | | never expected his men to do anything he |
| imaginable. | | | | couldn't or wouldn't do himself, and he set the |
| Known as the Kingdom of the Zulu, KwaZulu-Natal | | | | example. He spared himself no luxury of a true |
| is a melting pot of African, European and Indian | | | | king. |
| cultures. This province boasts two World Heritage | | | | Forced marches of up to 70km a day, carrying |
| Sites the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the | | | | weapons, and surviving on what they could find in |
| Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. KZN offers | | | | the bush, proficiency in handling their weapons, |
| fantastic beaches, sunny weather, game parks, | | | | and the methods of dispatching the enemy were |
| rolling green hills, numerous sugar cane plantations | | | | the order of the day. Shaka had soon discovered |
| and relics of the great battles in South African | | | | that the crude sandals traditionally worn by Zulu |
| history. | | | | men hampered his speed and agility, and as a |
| Traditionally, a popular holiday destination for | | | | result the army marched, ran, and fought bare |
| holiday-makers from other provinces flocking to | | | | foot - on sharp stones, through thorn bush, in |
| its sandy shores and wonderful surf, | | | | deep sand, rivers and every type of terrain |
| KwaZulu-Natal is South Africas busiest local holiday | | | | possible. Another innovation of Shaka's was the |
| destination. | | | | short stabbing spear; a great improvement on the |
| The man who ruled over the Zulu clan at the time | | | | longer handled throwing assegais which broke |
| of their greatest glories, who had led their growth | | | | when used against the enemy at close range. |
| from a small clan into the dominant power of | | | | One of the most successful of Shaka's great |
| coast of south-east Africa, was called Shaka. | | | | battle tactics was the fighting formation he |
| At the beginning of each winter the all-conquering | | | | devised. Known as the "horns of the buffalo", it |
| Zulu regiments would gather in their ancestral | | | | was supremely simple. The warriors forming the |
| lands to pledge themselves to new conquests | | | | "horns" encircled the enemy, while the "boss" or |
| with the salute: "Ngathi impi" - "Because of us, | | | | "chest" took on the main weight of the attack. |
| war." The man who ruled over the Zulu clan at | | | | Reinforcements were held in reserve behind the |
| the time of their greatest glories, who had led | | | | safety of the "chest". |
| their growth from a small clan into the dominant | | | | At 23, Shaka was triumphant. His army was |
| power of coast of south-east Africa, was called | | | | supreme, his followers delirious with success. |
| Shaka. He was a fierce and militaristic king, | | | | Cattle, loot and women simply poured into their |
| contributing to the murder of a million people. | | | | hands, and the once peaceful valley was too small |
| But to understand the man we know today as | | | | to contain them all. |
| "King Shaka", we have to understand the driving | | | | In the winter of 1823 Shaka began to build a new |
| force that made him to be the noted leader he | | | | capital on site overlooking the valley of the |
| was. | | | | Mhlatuze River. He named it kwaBulawayo ("the |
| Shaka's mother was a child of a deceased | | | | place of the persecuted man"). It was here that |
| chieftain of the eLangeni clan and her name was | | | | his mother, Nandi died in 1827. In grief, Shaka |
| Nandi. Shaka's father was a chieftain of the small, | | | | ordered several men executed but in the chaos, |
| then unknown Zulu clan and his name was | | | | over 7,000 people died. Shaka practically ordered |
| Senzangakona. Three months after they had met, | | | | his clan to death by starvation in reverence to his |
| word reached Senzangakhona that Nandi was | | | | mother. After three months, order was finally |
| pregnant. A failed marriage forced Nandi to return | | | | restored, but the seed of anguish against Shaka |
| to her tribe, but she was less welcomed there | | | | had been sowed. Shaka and his army began to go |
| than with the Zulus. Shaka grew up fatherless | | | | downhill, as Shaka seemed to increasingly lose |
| among people who despised his mother and him. | | | | touch with reality. |
| He grew up lonely and bitter with his only | | | | Towards sunset on 22 September 1828, Shaka |
| companion being his mother, whose life also was | | | | was waiting to receive tribute from a visiting |
| miserable. The intelligent and naturally sensitive | | | | party of Tswanas. Two of his half brothers, |
| boy knew of his royal blood and the origins of his | | | | Mhlangana and Dingane, suddenly strode into the |
| tormentors. He harbored great hatred for them till | | | | cattle enclosure where Shaka was waiting and |
| his death. | | | | stabbed him to death. |
| However, in due course Shaka's physical | | | | The next day his corpse was bundled into ox-hide |
| development outstripped those of his peers and | | | | and buried, with a few of his belongings, in an |
| his stature became that of a true Zulu warrior. By | | | | empty corn pit. |
| the time he was 21 Shaka was 6' 3" tall, with a | | | | Although some historians have described Shaka |
| magnificently proportioned body, well muscled and | | | | as a tyrant and a monster, his actions should be |
| with a true royal bearing. As a teenager, he | | | | seen in the context in which they took place. A |
| showed exceptional fighting ability and bravery. At | | | | harsh land called for harsh measures, and Shaka |
| the age of 19 he single-handedly killed a leopard | | | | was quick to use them. He ruled his kingdom fairly |
| which was attacking the livestock. | | | | and in many cases with compassion. Shaka |
| At the age of 23, he was called to serve as a | | | | remains one of the greatest kings and warriors of |
| Mtetwa - warrior, and did so for the next six | | | | our time. His legacy, to this day, still echoes and |
| years. In battle, he found an outlet for his pent-up | | | | lives on. |
| frustrations and developed his political policy. He | | | | Along the road between Eshowe and Melmoth, is |
| saw battle as the one safe method of political | | | | the location of three excellent and increasingly |
| growth and was never satisfied with a clan's | | | | popular Zulu "living museums" that offer visitors |
| submission before being taken to war. | | | | day-long and overnight "kraal experiences". The |
| Shaka became king of the Zulus in 1816 when he | | | | biggest is Shakaland, which was built for the TV |
| was about 30. Over the next few years he | | | | epic Shaka Zulu and now comprises of a hotel, a |
| systematically attacked every independent group | | | | kraal of 120 beehive huts (with en suite |
| in the vicinity, either driving them away or | | | | bathrooms) and other Zulu specialities. |
| absorbing them in the Zulu nation. The first people | | | | |