Mzilikazi

Mzilikazi was born around 1790 near Mkuze in Zululand, the son of Mashobane, a Khumalo clan chief, and became head of the northern Khumalo clan when his father died around 1818, initially serving as a lieutenant to the powerful Zulu king Shaka.

In 1823 Mzilikazi revolted against Shaka's authority and led his followers north during the widespread upheaval of the Mfecane, becoming, alongside Shaka, one of the greatest Bantu military commanders of the era, incorporating diverse conquered peoples along a journey of over 500 miles.

Facing defeat by Boer Voortrekkers in 1836 and 1837, Mzilikazi led his people across the Limpopo River into a region Europeans called Matabeleland, subjugating the Shona, Kalanga and Rozwi peoples and founding the city of Bulawayo as his capital.

Mzilikazi ruthlessly consolidated power in his new kingdom, executing councillors who had prematurely named a successor during his journey and, according to some accounts, ordering the execution of his own sons, though his son Lobengula was hidden and survived to eventually succeed him.

Mzilikazi's Ndebele kingdom, known as Mthwakazi, endured as one of southern Africa's most formidable states until his death in 1868, blending Zulu military organisation with the customs of the many peoples his kingdom absorbed along its journey.