EXPLAIN THE CONTRIBUTION OF CETEWAYO TO ZULU KINGDO (1872-1879)

Approach
• Brief back about Cetewayo.
• Show his positive and negative contributions in the history of the Zulu kingdom.
• Conclude
Background.
When Shaka died in 1828, he was succeeded by Dingane up to 1840 when he was defeated by Mpande who got assistance from the Boers whom in return he gave some Zulu land and catties. This annoyed the Zulu worriers. When Cetewoyo fought him, they all sided with Cetewoyo who over ran Mbulazi and became Zulu king in 1872.
NB. His contributions to Zulu kingdom were both positive and negative.
His Contributions (Positive)
1. Under Cetewayo, the Zulu military was restored to its original vigour andthe Zulu army reached the highest stage of its perfection although their deployment for major campaigns was discouraged.
2. Cetewayo kept the Zulu independence up to 1879 when he was defeated at the battle of Ulundi.
3. He contributed to the formation of the Pretoria convention.
4. Contributed to the abandonment of lord Carnarvon's policy of a federation of white states in South Africa though this did not safeguard the Zulu nation,
5. Cetewayo prevented Zulu attack on Natal which could have been disastrous.
6. The activities of Cetewayo postponed the annexation of Zulu by the British
7. Allowed raids on neighbors’ to resume as a means to uphold unity among the regiments
8. Cetewayo kept diplomatically silent against the Boers who were trespasser e the port of Laurence Marques (Maputo) thus avoided military confrontation with the Boers
9. Adopted a friendly approach to the British till 1877 when the later occupied Transvaal.
10. Revived the declining Zulu nationalism and prosperity
11. Allowed missionaries to settle in his kingdom though they were not allowed.
to preach Christianity for fear of destabilization of the kingdom
12. Advocated for the restoration of Zulu land ceded to the Boers by Mpande
Weaknesses
1. His re-occupation ofblood river area led to conflict hence loss of Zulu independence
2. Kept quite when the Boers encroached on Zululand.
3. Failed to control worriers who were chasing one of the whites. This was later used as an excuse for war by the whites.
4. Failure to safeguard Zulu independence beyond 1879
5. He allowed Stepstone to attend his coronation which gave the whites opportunity to get enough information about the Zulu nation and to plan against it.
6. He encouraged trade between his state and natal Boers. This brought the Boers closer to the Zulu nation which later costed his kingdom.