Happy King Shaka's Day to all the Zulus across the world!

King Shaka kaSenzangakhona was born on July 1787, also known as Shaka Zulu. He was the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1816 to 1828. He was one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu Kingdom.

When Shaka became chief of the Zulus in 1816, the tribe numbered fewer than 1,500 and was among the smaller of the hundreds of other tribes in southern Africa. However, Shaka proved a brilliant military organizer, forming well-commanded regiments and arming his warriors with..

...assegais, a new type of long-bladed, short spear that was easy to wield and deadly.

The Zulus rapidly conquered neighboring tribes, incorporating the survivors into their ranks. By 1823, Shaka was in control of all of present-day Natal.

The Zulu conquests greatly destabilized the region and resulted in a great wave of migrations by uprooted tribes.

In 1827, Shaka’s mother, Nandi, died, and the Zulu leader lost his mind and made certain moves that made lesser royals begin plotting his assassination..

The king was assassinated on the 22nd September 1824, by his own half brothers, Mhlangana and Dingane hence we had once celebrated Shaka’s day – now known as Heritage Day and is observed on the 24th September since 1996.

24 September was commemorated in KwaZulu-Natal as Shaka’s Day, in honour of the legendary Zulu leader, King Shaka Zulu.