Mzilikazi

Mzilikazi was a Southern African king and founder of the Matabele kingdom (also known as Mthwakazi) in the region that is present-day Zimbabwe. He was born around 1790 in what is now KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and died on September 9, 1868, near present-day Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Originally a lieutenant of Shaka, king of the Zulu, Mzilikazi broke away in the early 1820s, leading his followers, the Khumalo clan, in a northward migration to escape Zulu dominance. This migration was part of a period of widespread upheaval known as the Mfecane (or Difaqane).

Mzilikazi's journey involved raiding and incorporating various groups into his growing force. He initially settled in the Transvaal region (now part of South Africa) before being forced to move further north by the Boers.

By the late 1830s, Mzilikazi and his people had established a kingdom in what is now western Zimbabwe. He organized his state along military lines, similar to the Zulu, with a hierarchical structure and a strong emphasis on discipline and warfare. The kingdom was centered around its capital, initially at Inyati and later at Bulawayo.

Mzilikazi's rule involved frequent raids on neighboring groups, including the Shona, which resulted in tribute and the incorporation of some Shona people into the Matabele kingdom.

He skillfully navigated relations with European traders and missionaries, maintaining his independence for much of his reign. However, his kingdom eventually faced increasing pressure from European colonial powers, particularly the British.

Upon Mzilikazi's death in 1868, there was a period of succession struggles. He was eventually succeeded by his son, Lobengula, who would rule until the kingdom was conquered by the British South Africa Company in the 1890s.

Mzilikazi is remembered as a powerful and influential leader who forged a significant kingdom in Southern Africa. He is a significant figure in the history of both South Africa and Zimbabwe.