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Shaka Zulu There are certain names in African history that conjure up images of warriors and Shaka Zulu is one of them. He was born in 1787 to a Nandi, an orphaned princess of the Langeni clan. His father was a Zulu chief, Senzangakona. When he was born Nandi took Shaka back to Langeni with her, but around 1802, she was driven from the Langeni along with her son and found shelter with a sub-clan of the Mtetwa, the Dletsheni. At the age of 23, Shaka was called up with others in his age group by Dingiswayo, the Mtetwa chief, for military service. Shaka won the chief's admiration through numerous acts of bravery whilst serving in the army. When his father, Senzangakona died, Dingiswayo gave Shaka the military assistance to ascend to power. Shaka started a new military system whereby the military organisation incorporated regiments from tribes that had been defeated at war. When an area was conquered and it became a segment of Shaka's territory, the warriors became a part of his royal army and they fought alongside others from other chiefdoms. His army was well provided for by Shaka and he established military towns to give them the best training and provisions. He was a disciplinarian and demanded perfection from his regiments. His soldiers remained celibate, by requirement, during their period of enlistment. If this rule was violated, it was punishable by death. Shaka also showed no mercy for anyone who showed fear, they too were put to death. The Zulu army's weaponry was revolutionised by Shaka as were it's military tactics. Prior to Shaka's army, the custom for Zulu warriors in battle was to throw their spears and retreat. Shaka thought this method was cowardly and designed a short-handled spear called an assegai for use as a stabbing weapon. This allowed his men to retain their weapons and advance right up to their enemies with the aim to attack them behind their protective shields. Shaka also created several complex battle formations that outflanked and confused his enemies. During his reign, Shaka managed to unify many tribes in the South African regions and he was credited with saving the region from European domination throughout his life-time. Unfortunately, Shaka met with a violent death at the age of 42 when he was repeatedly stabbed to death by his half-brothers. His body was thrown to the vultures. The end of this man's life was not befitting to the way he revolutionised military forces in Africa during his time. He crossed the barriers of tribes and presented a united front against colonisation and as such was a civil right's activist in his own way. Although he was a stickler for discipline, the fact that he succeeded in taking over numerous chiefdoms showed they worked. Shaka Zulu was a true warrior. Sources: http://www.toptags.com/aama/bio/men/shaka.htm |
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