What does that matter? I deliberately left out the 19th century European empire builders because their empires included the very colonies being discussed. It's not like there were any fewer of them. It wasn't just colonial empires either. By the end of the 19th century the Austro-Hungarian empire ruled 60% of Europe. Mostly by taking over the Swedish empire that Charles XIII built. He built the largest empire in modern European history  during the 30 years war. The same war that brought the Hugenots to the cape. And it didn't end there. The NAZI empire was one tiny territory short of rivaling the Swedes a mere 70 years ago.  As I recall their emperor was not known for his kindly rule and generous disposition either.
Why is Shaka not seen in comparison to the heroic empire builders? Especially when those doing the telling were the Victorians. Their brutal empire conquered a third of the entire planet!