19th century – 19th century
Transvaal highveld and western Transvaal
The Ndebele State was founded by Mzilikazi after his break with Shaka and migration across the Drakensberg into Sotho-Tswana country. It expanded through warfare, cattle capture, incorporation of refugees, and the growth of Nguni-led regiments. The state moved from Ekupumleni on the Olifants to Mhlahlandlela near the Magaliesberg, then to Mosega on the Madikwe, where it attacked Tswana communities until a joint Boer, Tswana, and Griqua force expelled it in 1837.
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The Story
Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele State, was the son of Mashobane, head of a small Khumalo chiefdom on the Black Mfolozi that paid tribute to Zwide. Born in 1796, Mzilikazi became ruler of his people in 1818 after Zwide had Mashobane killed on suspicion of betrayal. As the son of Mashobane’s senior wife, who was a daughter of Zwide, Mzilikazi was installed as head of the Khumalo chiefdom.
After Shaka defeated Zwide at the battle of the White Mfolozi, Mzilikazi transferred his allegiance to Shaka. In 1822, Shaka sent him against a neighboring Sotho group, but Mzilikazi refused to deliver the captured cattle and repulsed a Zulu regiment sent to punish him. After a second Zulu attack displaced him from Ntumbane hill, he escaped across the Drakensberg with a reduced following of about two hundred men, women, and children.
Mzilikazi crossed into the highveld, evading pursuing Zulu regiments and moving among Sotho communities. He captured cattle, people, and children while crossing the Vaal and was joined by Nguni groups that had earlier crossed the Drakensberg. In 1824, he settled on the Olifants River in Pedi country at a settlement called Ekupumleni.
Campaigns against Pedi and other Sotho groups increased his herds and enlarged his following through conquest, capture, and the incorporation of refugees from Shaka. On the Transvaal highveld, his Nguni followers became known as Ndebele. By 1825, Ndebele regiments were fighting Sotho-Tswana communities across the highveld, extending as far west as eastern Botswana.
Raids by Moletsane’s Taung, Jan Bloem’s mounted forces, Zulu regiments, and the possible threat from Zwangendaba and Nqaba persuaded Mzilikazi to move his capital in 1827 to Mhlahlandlela, near the source of the Odi or Crocodile River and close to present-day Pretoria. From there, his regiments attacked Kwena and Kgatla states for several years, ranging north beyond the Limpopo, south beyond the Vaal, and west toward the Kalahari.
Mzilikazi’s headquarters later moved westward to Mosega on the Madikwe or Marico River in 1832. From this base, Ndebele forces attacked Tswana groups in the western Transvaal and present-day Botswana. The state was defeated and driven out of Mosega by a joint force of Boers, Tswana, and Griqua in 1837, after which Mzilikazi went on to build his headquarters at Bulawayo.
19th century – 19th century
Transvaal highveld and western Transvaal
The Ndebele State was founded by Mzilikazi after his break with Shaka and migration across the Drakensberg into Sotho-Tswana country. It expanded through warfare, cattle capture, incorporation of refugees, and the growth of Nguni-led regiments. The state moved from Ekupumleni on the Olifants to Mhlahlandlela near the Magaliesberg, then to Mosega on the Madikwe, where it attacked Tswana communities until a joint Boer, Tswana, and Griqua force expelled it in 1837.
Continue exploring
The Story
Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele State, was the son of Mashobane, head of a small Khumalo chiefdom on the Black Mfolozi that paid tribute to Zwide. Born in 1796, Mzilikazi became ruler of his people in 1818 after Zwide had Mashobane killed on suspicion of betrayal. As the son of Mashobane’s senior wife, who was a daughter of Zwide, Mzilikazi was installed as head of the Khumalo chiefdom.
After Shaka defeated Zwide at the battle of the White Mfolozi, Mzilikazi transferred his allegiance to Shaka. In 1822, Shaka sent him against a neighboring Sotho group, but Mzilikazi refused to deliver the captured cattle and repulsed a Zulu regiment sent to punish him. After a second Zulu attack displaced him from Ntumbane hill, he escaped across the Drakensberg with a reduced following of about two hundred men, women, and children.
Mzilikazi crossed into the highveld, evading pursuing Zulu regiments and moving among Sotho communities. He captured cattle, people, and children while crossing the Vaal and was joined by Nguni groups that had earlier crossed the Drakensberg. In 1824, he settled on the Olifants River in Pedi country at a settlement called Ekupumleni.
Campaigns against Pedi and other Sotho groups increased his herds and enlarged his following through conquest, capture, and the incorporation of refugees from Shaka. On the Transvaal highveld, his Nguni followers became known as Ndebele. By 1825, Ndebele regiments were fighting Sotho-Tswana communities across the highveld, extending as far west as eastern Botswana.
Raids by Moletsane’s Taung, Jan Bloem’s mounted forces, Zulu regiments, and the possible threat from Zwangendaba and Nqaba persuaded Mzilikazi to move his capital in 1827 to Mhlahlandlela, near the source of the Odi or Crocodile River and close to present-day Pretoria. From there, his regiments attacked Kwena and Kgatla states for several years, ranging north beyond the Limpopo, south beyond the Vaal, and west toward the Kalahari.
Mzilikazi’s headquarters later moved westward to Mosega on the Madikwe or Marico River in 1832. From this base, Ndebele forces attacked Tswana groups in the western Transvaal and present-day Botswana. The state was defeated and driven out of Mosega by a joint force of Boers, Tswana, and Griqua in 1837, after which Mzilikazi went on to build his headquarters at Bulawayo.
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