Rise to Glory: Kingdoms of the South

THE MFECANE

Nxaba moved westwards from Mozambique through Zimbabwe until they reached Barotseland where they were exterminated by the Kololo. Zwide himself moved into the interior, and his tribe, the Ndwandwe, was eventually defeated by the Zulu in 1826

Shaka was also having difficulties with one of his commanders, Mzilikazi, who was related to the Nwandwe. Mzilikazi challenged Shaka’s authority, and was attacked by Zulu regiments. He was forced to flee with about 200 warriors. They defeated tribes in their way and absorbed young me into their growing army, until they finally settled north of the Vaal river. Here they were given the name Tebele, or strangers, and formed the Matebele or Ndebele tribe.

Other groups fled south and west. Shaka spread his reign of terror over the small tribes of Southern Natal, giving rise to a chain reaction in which one fleeing group attacked the next. In the 1820’s the refugees reached as far as the northern Transkei. Tribes driven across the Drakensberg entered Transorangia and clashed with the Sotho speaking Tlokwa under their regent, Manthatisi and other tribes.Mantathisi became well known for her strong leadership.   1     2     3