The Zulu Kingdom was established in the first years of the 19th century and was,
for a while, the leading state in South Eastern Africa.
Although its power later declined, the British continued to consider it as a threat
to their South African possessions and in 1879 they invaded the kingdom.
After their victory they broke it up in thirteen independent kingdoms under British
supervision, hereby initiating a period of civil wars and growing anarchy.
In 1883, in an attempt to re-establish order, they restored the last kingfrom the
house of Zulu of as head of part of the country.
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BRITISH REPRESENTATIVES
Residents
(subordinated to the British administrators in Natal)
1879 - 1880 William Douglas Wheelwright
1880 - 1887 Melmoth Osborn
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HEADS OF STATE
Kings
Makossi
House of Zulu
1840 - 1872 Mpande ka Senzangakhona 1804 - 1872
1872 - 1879 Cetshwayo ka Mpande, son, de facto ruler since
1857, deposed by the British 1826 - 1884
British imposed regional kings
1879 - 1883 -John Robert Dunn "Jantoni" (1) 1833 - 1895
-Faku
-Gawozi
-Hlubi 1835 - 1902
-Mfanawendlela
-Mgitshwa
-Mlandela (briefly driven out in 1882 - 1883
by Usitimela)
-Mqonjama
-Ntshingiswao 1... - 1883
-Sekethwayo 1... - 1883
-Somkhele
-Uhamu ka Mpande
-Uzibhebhu 1841 - 1904
(1) A British adventurer and trader who became powerfull in Southern Zululand
during the reign of Cetshwayo ka Mpande.
Chiefs of Usuthu(2)
1883 - 1884 Cetshwayo ka Mpande s.a.
1884 - 1888 Dinuzulu ka Cetshwayo, son, deposed by the
British 1868 - 1913
(2) The chiefdom of Usuthu - so named after Cetshwayo's faction during the civil
war of 1856-1857 - consisted of all former kingdoms except those of Dunn,
Hlubi and Uzibhebhu. The first two were united into the so-called "Zulu
Reserve", a gathering place for opponents to Usuthu.
As to Uzibhebhu, he was driven out in 1884 by Dinizulu ka Cetshwayo, assisted
by Boer volunteers from Transvaal, who in exchange for their help, obtained a
large part of Zululand where they later established the New Republic
BRITISH COLONY OF ZULULAND
As wars continued the British in 1887 finally annexed both Usuthu and the "Zulu
Reserve", organising them as the new Crown Colony of Zululand.
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BRITISH ADMINISTRATORS
Resident Commissioners
(subordinated to the Governors of Natal)
1887 - 1893 Sir Melmoth Osborn s.a.
1893 - 1897 Sir Marshall James Clarke
In 1897 Zululand - to which Tongaland had been added shortly before - was annexed
to Natal.
In 1902 the region was opened to white settlement, the Zulu being relocated into
reserves.
In 1916 Solomon Nkashiyana Maphumuzana ka Dinuzulu (1880 - 1933), son of Dinizulu
ka Cetshwayo was restored as Chief of Usuthu, becoming Paramount Chief of all the
Zulu of Natal - a purely honorific title - three years later. At his death he was
succeeded by his minor son Cyprian Bhekezulu ka Nkashiyana (1925 - 1968).
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