Mzilikazi KaMashobane

Mzilikazi KaMashobane was a powerful Southern African king. His name means "The Great Road." He was born around 1790 near Mkuze in Zululand. He founded the Mthwakazi kingdom in the region of Matabeleland. This area is located in what is now Zimbabwe. Many historians consider him a brilliant military leader. The explorer David Livingstone called him the second most impressive leader in Africa.

Mzilikazi's rise began as an ally to King Shaka of the Zulu Kingdom. Shaka originally rewarded Mzilikazi with soldiers and cattle. However, a serious conflict arose between the two leaders. King Shaka assassinated the twins of Mzilikazi's sister, Ntombizodwa Ka Mashobana. This event created a deep division. Mzilikazi left Zululand with a large kraal, which is a traditional cattle enclosure. He moved through Mozambique before heading west into the Transvaal in 1826.

In the Transvaal, Mzilikazi spent ten years dominating the region. He defeated many tribes and absorbed their members into his own group. He reorganized the captured territory to fit the Matabele order. In 1831, he won a battle against the Griqua people. He occupied lands near the Ghaapse mountains. To keep other kingdoms at a distance, he used scorched earth methods. This means he destroyed resources to prevent enemies from following him.

Conflict eventually arrived with the Boers, known as the Voortrekkers. Mzilikazi fought several battles against them in the Transvaal. While he won many of these fights, the Voortrekkers eventually overpowered him. A major battle lasted for two years. This period caused heavy losses for the Matabele people. By early 1838, Mzilikazi and his people were forced to move north. They crossed the Limpopo River to escape the fighting.

During this migration, Mzilikazi's group split into two parts. His firstborn son, Nkulumane, led one section with a leader named Gundwane Ndiweni. Mzilikazi traveled through Botswana and toward Zambia. He could not settle in those lands because of the tsetse fly. This insect carries diseases that are fatal to oxen. Without healthy oxen, it was hard to maintain his people. In 1840, Mzilikazi moved southeast into Matabeleland. There, he reunited with the group led by his son.

Mzilikazi rebuilt his strength by organizing a militaristic system. He created regimental kraals, which were similar to the systems used by Shaka. This organization helped his people repel Boer attacks between 1847 and 1851. In 1852, he even signed a peace treaty with the South African Republic. Throughout his reign, he met many European travelers. These included missionaries like Robert Moffat and explorers like David Livingstone. He was often friendly but remained very cautious of outsiders.

Leadership within the family was sometimes difficult. After a traumatic journey through the Zambezi Valley, Mzilikazi returned to claim his power. Some accounts say he executed his son Nkulumane and other chiefs. One story claims they were thrown from a cliff at Ntabazinduna. Another account says Nkulumane was sent back to the Zulu Kingdom instead. Nkulumane eventually settled in the Bakwena territory near Rustenburg. He lived there until his death in 1883.

Mzilikazi established several different capitals during his life. His first capital was at Ntabazinduna mountain. He later moved his capital to Inyathi. He eventually moved again to Mhlahlandlela in the Matopo District. This was his second and final capital. Mzilikazi died on September 5, 1868, at eNqameni. Today, his legacy lives on through the Khumalo family. The city of Bulawayo even named its central library after him.