Early in the 19th century King Shaka transformed his tiny Nguni clan into a proud and powerful nation. Born the illegitimate son of King Senzangakhona of the Zulu clan and Princess Nandi of the Langeni. Rejected by Senzangakhone, Nandi and Shaka sought refuge with a paternal uncle living with the Mtetwa people, who were ruled by Dingiswayo. Shaka gained valuable experience whilst undergoing military training in Dingiswayo's iziCwe Regiment. He developed innovative skills in warfare and introduced the iKlwa stabbing spear to the armoury.

On the death of Senzangakhona, Dingiswayo supported Shaka's claim to the throne. Shaka assassinated his half brother and made himself King of the Zulu. When the Ndwande under Zwide defeated and killed Dingiswayo, Shaka absorbed the leaderless tribe into the Zulu. Zwide then attacks the Zulu but under Shaka's brilliant leadership at Gqokli Hill the Zulu army defeats a much greater Ndwandwe force and puts an end to Ndwandwe power.

The Zulu Nation had come into being and led by Shaka they extended their power base to cover all of what is now KwaZulu-Natal Natal.

In 1828 Shaka was murdered by his half brothers and Dingane became King of the Zulu but already the white men had set up a trading base in Durban and more, the Voortrekkers, were crossing the mountains from the interior and requesting land and the stage was set for another round of conflict.

The legend of Shaka still inspires pride among the Zulu people. During a twelve year reign he built up and led a powerful army, while setting new standards and cultural standards for his people. Historians acknowledge his military leadership and prowess in developing new weapons and tactics such as the short stabbing spear and the battlefield strategy izimpondo zenkomo or "horns of the bull" encircling tactic. Despite understandably subjective Victorian criticism, contemporary accounts from shipwrecked sailors in the 18th century and early hunters and adventurers describe the Zulus with whom they came in contact as cheerful, prosperous and law-abiding people.

Inset: The Spirit of eMakhosini overlooks the Valley of the Kings where many Zulu kings are believed to be buried.