South Africa Table of Contents Shaka Zulu was born in 1787, the
illegitimate son of Senzangakona, chief of the Zulu clan. An
outcast as a child, Shaka was brought up among a number of
neighboring groups, finally ending with the Mthethwa where he
distinguished himself as a skilled warrior in Dingiswayo's army.
Dingiswayo was so impressed by Shaka that in 1816 he helped him
become chief of the Zulu upon the death of Senzangakona. Among
the Zulu, Shaka consolidated a number of military innovations--
some developed by Dingiswayo, some dating back to the eighteenth
century--to produce a powerful military machine. All young men
were incorporated into age regiments and given military
training. A short stabbing spear was introduced in addition to
the traditional long throwing spears, giving Shaka's army an
advantage in close combat. Military strategies, such as the
"horn" formation by which Zulu regiments encircled their
enemies, were perfected. When Dingiswayo was killed, Shaka with
his military machine avenged his m