Din Zulu/ Dini-Zulu 1883 -1906

Din Zulu/ Dini-Zulu 1883 -1906


He was the eldest son of Chief Cetshwayo who proclaimed himself the Zulu paramount chief in 1883.
He was able to take the throne due to the support he received from the Boers and he gave part of the Zulu territory to his close allies the Boers. This part of land given to the Boers was named the New Republic as the Boers incorporated it into the South African Republic (of Transvaal) in 1877.
His friendship and or cooperation with the Boers brought him problems with the British .He resented British dominance the Zulu Kingdom.
Din Zulu continued to openly show his dissatisfaction against the British in Zululand. He was arrested and convicted to treason by British administration and thereafter he was exiled to St. Helena.
In 1897 he was returned to Zulu but as a mere headman of the District of Usutu. He remained un- respected by his people up to 1906.

Achievements of Dini Zulu

He ruled the Zulu from 1883 up to 1906.
Created friendship with the Boers and the British.
He. resented British subjection of his Kingdom.
He tried to unite the Zulu kingdom.
He forced his rivals to exile.

Problems faced by Dini Zulu.

The Boers wanted part of his territory (10.000 square kilometers). This became the New Republic (incorporated to Transvaal in 1887)
The British tried and succeeded in arresting and convicting him for treason.
After trial, he was exiled to St. Helena Islands
The Zulu kingdom remained a vassal state of the New Republic (in northern Transvaal).
The Germans also wanted his land which they obtained around St. Lucia.
The British in Natal tried to annex Zululand by requesting London to do so.
Britain gained control of his coastal harbors, South of Lourenco Marques.
In February 1887 Zululand was annexed to Natal by the British.
In 1897 Dini Zulu was returned to Zulu land but now as a mere headman of the great Usutu district.
European tactics were unchallengeable
These were the hard times of the scramble for and partition of the sub-region.
Many European competed for a hold in Zulu land.
The Afrikaaner pressure on his kingdom were emeses from Transvaal
The British maintained disarmament of the Zulu with a small sizeable army.
Problems faced by the Zulu by 1879.
(Refer to the problems faced by each of the rulers of the state from Shaka Zulu 1816-1828, Dingane 1828- 180, Mpande 1840-1872, Cetewayo / Utswayo 1873-1884).