Factors that led to the rise and growth of the Zulu nation

Factors that led to the rise and growth of the Zulu nation


Population growth in the area, which created shortage of land and led to the establishment of the defensive Zulu state.
Favourable climate in the east of the Drakensburg Mountain for cultivation and settlement.
The rise of ambitious leaders like Dingiswayo, Zwide and Shaka who introduced reforms- social, political and economic. This made the Zulu state powerful and capable of defending itself.
Shaka's alliance with Dingiswayo and Mzilikazi against Zwide who was later defeated finally made the state powerful and rise to prominence.
The Zulu state grew through strong military personage and heroism of Shaka.
It also rose due to language that had created unity among the Zulu leading to the rise of the Zulu state.
After the defeat of Dingiswayo by Zwide, Shaka soon defeated the latter at Mhlatuze River. This victory opened way for the Zulu kingdom.
New youth were incorporated into the original Zulu regiments to form a permanent army.
The military and administrative reforms introduced by Shaka in Zululand led to its growth.
Why the Zulu nation declined after
The kingdom came into existence as a result of wars. After Shaka's death, the Zulu nation had a lot of internal enemies who attacked it, e.g. the movement of the Boers northwards and other Bantu groups.
The state was created by absorbing many conquered, states of different cultures and customs. Therefore after Shaka’s death, such people couldn’t live together because they wanted their independence.
Lack of cultural unity that had been created by Shaka. Because of the different ideologies, the state was not stable, hence decline after Shaka.
Shaka's successors had many problems e.g. the Trek Boers who were for long demanding for land forced Dingane to surrender the Natal province, which weakened the Zulu state militarily and economically.
Boer interference in the politics of the Zulu state. The Boers allied with Mpande who promised to give them more land if they had helped them to defeat Dingane. This created succession wars and conflicts that led to the collapse of the Zulu.
Misunderstandings between leaders that followed Shaka for instance King Dingane and Mpande.