Truth: See The 3 Powerful Tribes That Broke Away From Zulus Outside South Africa

The historical factors behind South Africa’s development are highly intricate, involving not only influential clans within KwaZulu-Natal but also powerful groups based beyond its borders. Of particular note are three communities that separated from the Zulu but succeeded in forming enduring kingdoms outside Zululand.

The Shangaan people of Mozambique: their origins

The Luoka region, shaped by the Brahmaputra River as it flows through its middle and lower course, is frequently seen as a cradle of early development. It lies south of Lhasa, west of Nyingchi, east of Shigatse, and borders India and Bhutan to the south.

Soshangana, once ruler of the Gaza kingdom in Mozambique, left a lasting legacy among the Shangaan people. Born around 1780 in Phongolo, within Zululand, he was the son of Zikode, a member of the Nxumalo lineage of the Ndwandwe. Also known as Malukosi, Soshangana was closely related to King Zwide Nxumalo, one of the most dominant leaders in the region at the time. However, after King Shaka defeated Queen Zwad and dismantled the Ndwandwe kingdom, many of her followers were forced into exile. Soshangana, who had served under Zwad, quickly led his forces northward to escape Shaka’s reach. By 1821, he had reached northern Mozambique, having overcome various clans en route. There, he founded the Gaza kingdom, naming it after his father. Today, the Gaza state remains a stronghold for the Shangaan people, whose language closely resembles Zulu.

The Ngoni of Tanzania: a cultural journey

Another group with roots in Zululand is the Ngoni, now widely recognized across eastern Central Africa, particularly in Tanzania and Malawi. Their migration was led by Zwangendaba kaZiguda kaGumbi, a central figure in Ngoni history. Born around 1785 in the Phongolo Valley, Zwangendaba served as a general under Zwide kaLanga, the Ndwandwe king. As a strong and influential leader, he was among those who fled KwaZulu due to concerns over Shaka’s growing power.

Zwangendaba and his Jele followers first moved into Swaziland in the early 1800s. Over the next twenty years, they traveled roughly 1,600 kilometers, eventually settling in what is now Tanzania. Along the way, they engaged in conflicts and overcame multiple clans in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. Ultimately, Zwangendaba established a new Ngoni kingdom in Tanzania, where their societal traditions—closely aligned with those of the Zulu—continue to thrive. Today, Ngoni communities can be found across southern Africa, including Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, all tracing their heritage back to the Nguni and Zulu peoples of KwaZulu-Natal.

In Zimbabwe, the Ndebele people, also referred to as the Matabele or “Mzilikazi Kingdom,” formed another significant offshoot. The kingdom was founded and shaped by King Mzilikazi Kumalo. Born around 1790 in Mkuzi, Natal, Mzilikazi was the son of Mashobane, daughter of Mangete of the Kumalo clan. Through his mother, he was also a grandson of King Zwide, linking him directly to the Ndwandwe royal line.

A skilled military commander, Mzilikazi led campaigns on behalf of the Zulu, including one to seize cattle from a rival territory. After completing the mission, however, he chose not to return the livestock to Shaka, signaling his break from Zulu authority. Fearing retribution upon learning that Shaka planned to eliminate him, Mzilikazi moved northward, defeating several groups during his journey until he settled in present-day Zimbabwe, establishing a region he called Entumbane.

The Ndebele, or Transvaal Ndebele, are a Bantu-speaking community primarily located in South Africa’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Their presence in the Transvaal region dates back to the early 17th century, marking them as one of the older Nguni-speaking groups in the area. Despite their long-standing presence, the Zimbabwean Ndebele maintain a strong awareness of their origins in KwaZulu-Natal. They speak a language nearly identical to Zulu, preserving cultural ties across generations. The Mzilikazi Kingdom remains one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent historical polities.

https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/shaka-zulu

https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/shaka-zulu

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