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| Dingane kaSenzangakhona | |
|---|---|
.png) Dingane in ordinary and dancing dress |
|
| Born | 1795 |
| Died | 1840 (aged 44–45) |
| Cause of death | Murder |
| Residence | Southern Africa |
| Other names | Dingaan |
| Ethnicity | Zulu |
| Title | King |
Dingane kaSenzangakhona Zulu (ca. 1795-1840)—commonly referred to as Dingane or Dingaan—was a Zulu chief who became king in 1828, setting up his kraal Ngungundlovu.
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Rise to power
He came to power after assassinating his half-brother Shaka with the help of another brother, Umhlangana, as well as Shaka's advisor Mbopa. The assassination, which was carried out where the present-day town of Stanger is located, was a reaction to the increase in Shaka's brutality after the death of his mother Nandi.
Challenges of European advance
Even though modern historians might judge Dingane as the king responsible for the fall of the Zulu military superiority in southern Africa, Dingane was, to a great extent, a popular leader who came into power at a very challenging time. Even under Shaka—had he not been murdered—the fall of the kingdom might have been difficult to avoid. Great numbers of people of European descent were making their way northward from the Cape Colony with weaponry far superior to the Zulu spear.
Rebellion
Dingane lacked Shaka's military and leadership skills, and the cracks in the kingdom began to show as rebel chiefs broke away. These cracks were exacerbated by armed conflict with the newly arrived Voortrekkers.
Armed conflict with Voortrekkers
In November 1837 he met with Piet Retief and, in return for their recovering some stolen cattle, signed a deed of cession of lands (written in English) to the Voortrekkers.[1] Two days of feasting later, on 6 February 1838, he killed Retief's diplomatic party.[2] At the same time, his forces ambushed and killed Retief's trek party, about 500 Boers, including men, women and children, in what is know as the Weenen massacre at the location of the present day town of Weenen (Dutch for "weeping," in memory of the massacre). Dingane then sent his army with instructions to seek out and kill the other group of Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius. The Zulu impis found the Voortrekker encampment and attacked, but were dealt a crushing defeat in the ensuing Battle of Blood River with an estimated 3000 Zulus killed and only three Voortrekkers slightly injured. Dingane's commander at the battle was Ndlela kaSompisi.
Overthrow and death
In January 1840, Pretorius, with a force of 400 burghers (Dutch for 'citizens'), helped Mpande in his revolt against Dingane, which resulted in his overthrow and death. Dingane was assassinated in Hlatikhulu Forest by Zulu Nyawo, Sambane and Nondawana while on a military expedition. He was succeeded by Mpande—his (and Shaka's) half-brother.
| King of the Zulu Nation | ||
| Preceded by: Shaka |
Reign 1828-1840 |
Succeeded by: Mpande |
References
- ^ Bird, John (1965). [ANNALS OF NATAL, 1495 TO 1845 ANNALS OF NATAL, 1495 TO 1845]. 1. Cape Town: STRUIK. ANNALS OF NATAL, 1495 TO 1845. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Jenkinson, Thomas B. (1884). Amazulu: The Zulus, Their Past History, Manners, Customs, and Language. W.H. Allen. pp. 123 (n139). http://www.archive.org/details/amazuluzulusthe02jenkgoog. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
External links
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