Biography
During the chieftaincy of Senzangakhona, the Zulus were a small clan in the Mthethwa confederation which was ruled by Dingiswayo.
Senzangakhona married at least sixteen women by which he had fourteen known sons. Daughters were not counted. His mother was Queen Mthaniya Sibiya.
His third wife, Nandi kaBhebhe eLangeni (Nandi, daughter of Bhebhe, from eLangeni district), bore him his first son Shaka out of wedlock.Senzangakona was unable to acknowledge Nandi as his Chief Consort, an important status symbol among the amaZulu.
Another of his wives gave birth to Sigujana, who was meant to succeed Senzangakhona. Sigujana turned up dead before Shaka’s return to be crowned as the King of the amaZulu.
His sixth wife, Mpikase kaMlilela Ngobese, bore Dingane, who took over the Zulu kingdom after assassinating his half-brother Shaka in 1828 at present-day Stanger.
His ninth wife, Songiya kaNgotsha Hlabisa, bore Mpande, who took over when Dingane was killed in 1840. Mpande was the only son to bear him grandchildren, through the intervention of Ndlela kaSompisi. Mpande’s son Cetshwayo was in all aspects the last great king of the Zulus.
Senzangakona’s name is derived from the Zulu word meaning "he who acts with a good reason".
Read more about this topic: Senzangakhona KaJama
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