KwaZulu Natal, one of South Africa’s nine provinces is the
ancestral home to the Zulu people, probably the ethnic group with the most
significant and influential history of all in South Africa. The Zulus rose to
prominence under their King Shaka, who ruled the Zulu Kingdom from 1816 to
1828. Born as an unwanted child in 1789, Shaka soon distinguished himself as a
ruthless and very strategic warrior, ultimately becoming the King of the Zulu
Empire. Under his reign the Zulus won many battles and increased their
territory to about 11.000square kilometres and the number of warriors from
1.500 to 50.000. Unfortunately, Shaka fell victim to family infighting and was
killed in 1828 by his half-brothers Dingaan and Mhlangana. Dingaan was set to become
the new King. However, the Zulu Kingdom never enjoyed such power and might as
it did during King Shaka Zulu’s time. They were faced with many challenges and
wars and finally lost in during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1906 to the British.
Around 10-11 million Zulus live directly in KwaZulu Natal
with other spreading across the borders in neighbouring Zimbabwe, Mozambique
and Zambia. The Zulu language is from the Bantu language tree and its subgroup
is Nguni. In Nguni, isiZulum, which is
the Zulu word for ‘zulu’, means heaven or sky. Within South Africa the Zulus
are by far the most numerous. The biggest majority of Zulus are Christians, although
traditional beliefs surrounding ancestors and spirits are intertwined with
Christianity and very widespread. President Jacob Zuma is the first Zulu to be
president of the new South Africa since the end of apartheid.