Shaka Zulu Essay

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Discuss the 3 different ways that historians have portrayed Shaka Zulu Historians have widely portrayed Shaka Zulu, as a military genius, a cruel tyrant and a nation builder; every historian has their own opinion including myself. Shaka Zulu is sometimes described as a “military genius” which in my opinion casts a more positive shadow over him even though war can be considered more of a negative. He led the Zulu nation to military glory over their enemies due to a natural talent for leadership and still today he is an inspiration for African leaders. He introduced new weaponery, developed a successful tactic called “the horns of the buffalo” and boosted the Zulu army from 350 men to 20,000 well-trained, disciplined and fierce soldiers who conquered more than 11,000 square miles of territory. Shaka Zulu due to his military expertise changed the face of South African warfare; building an impressive strong army so the Zulus formed for decades a serious threat for Boers and Britons. Although he was cruel, he performed as an exceptional organiser and commander. Shaka Zulu caused great destruction and misery in large parts of southern Africa during the Mfecane, by controlling every aspect of the lives of his subjects and by putting them to death whenever he wanted to. Shaka maintained a stealthy relationship with the Europeans in Africa, especially the Colonial leaders. However, other Africans, including some of his own people who hated the constant wars, disliked him. This is why many historians picture him as a “cruel tyrant”. After ten years of warfare, which placed an incredible strain on the Zulu nation physically and emotionally, his half-brother, Dingane, who succeeded him as ruler, assassinated him. “Strike an enemy once and for all. Let him cease to exist as a tribe or he will live to fly in your throat again.” – Shaka Zulu showing his

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