1. Dingane set up his royal capital, uMgungundlovu, and one of numerous military encampments, or kraals, in the eMakhosini Valley just south of the White Umfolozi River, on the slope of Lion Hill.
19 Facts About Dingane
1. 2.
Dingane came to power in 1828 after assassinating his half-brother Shaka with the help of another brother, Umhlangana, as well as Mbopa, Shaka's bodyguard.
3.
Captain Allen Gardiner related that Dingane was revered as the "great idol" of the Zulu nation, while a missionary, Rev Francis Owen, who observed his rule at close quarters while stationed at Umgungundlovu, highlighted several aspects of his despotic governance.
4.
Dingane's subjects applied god-like attributes to him, not admitting for instance that his reign might have had a beginning.
5.
Dingane was deemed immortal, one who was neither born, nor would ever die.
6.
Dingane kept his 500 or so concubines in severe bondage.
7.
Dingane referred to them as his sisters or children, and placed them in various ranks.
8.
Dingane built his capital city of umGungundlovu in 1829 and enlarged it five years later.
9.
Dingane selected other girls at the annual first fruit ceremony.
10.
Dingane's hut was very large and was kept very neat by attendants; it could easily accommodate 50 people.
11.
Dingane lacked Shaka's military and leadership skills; rebel chiefs broke away from his rule.
12.
Chiefs who fell out of favour with Dingane fled the country, including Signabani.
13.
In November 1837 Dingane met with Piet Retief, leader of the Voortrekkers.
14.
In return for their recovering some stolen cattle, Dingane signed a deed of cession of lands to the Voortrekkers.
15.
The general opinion is that Dingane did not wish to yield the land ceded to them in the treaty and mistrusted the presence of the Voortrekkers.
16.
Dingane ordered his army to seek and kill the group of Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorius.
17.
In January 1840, Pretorius and a force of 400 Boers helped Mpande in his revolt against his half-brother Dingane, which resulted in the latter's overthrow and death.
18.
Dingane had his general, Ndlela kaSompisi, executed, and with a few followers, he sought refuge in Nayawo territory on the Lubombo mountains.
19.
Dingane's grave is near Ingwavuma in the Hlatikulu Forest, an hour's drive from Tembe elephant park.