At the beginning of the ninetheenth century, Shaka was the chief of a small insignificant clan among the Bantu people. Thinking that the survival of the Zulus depended inevitably on the subservience of the other clans, Shaka submitted the natal region to blood and fire. Between 1815 and 1828, he annihilated all tribes that were opposed to him. This troubled period referred to as Mfecan( terror ), was accompanied by famine and exodus of a large part of the Bantu population. Shaka's cruelty became legendary.

Maddened by the pain of his mother's death, he had a member of every Zulu family killed, so that the entire kingdom would be in mourning.

But Shaka was especially a remarkable war chief. His military genius has often be compared to that of Napoleon.

In September 1828, he was assasinated by one of his half brothers. But the Mfecan that he had launched only came to an end in 1835. The massive flight of the Bantu population altered the history of South Africa..