Book Eight: The Masterful Genius of

Shaka
This chapter delves into the second war against Zwide, showcasing Shaka's exceptional
military acumen. He expands his espionage network to gather intricate details about his
enemy, manipulating events within the enemy camp to align with his strategic needs. Shaka
orchestrates a meticulously planned strategic retreat, ordering the destruction of all
supplies, which nearly annihilates Zwide's vast army through starvation and direct assaults.
This decisive victory shatters Zwide's power irreversibly, marking a pivotal shift in the
balance of power in Nguniland. With only a few holdouts like Macingwane remaining, Shaka
now reigns as the uncontested master of the region. Amidst these triumphs, domestic
tensions escalate, with Princess Mkhabayi, the royal aunt, playing a crucial role in balancing
Shaka's authority against the ambitions of his brothers.

Such was the Zulus' burgeoning influence:

Expanding eastwards, following the path set by the sun.
At the vast village-city of Princess Mkhabayi, the sun revealed its inner womb of
forgetfulness.
Her intellect was reputed to rival that of ten men in the Assembly. Many sought to hear her
bold and insightful thoughts;
Large processions traveled to her royal city of Nquthu.
The great princess often recounted ancient Zulu stories.
In moments of contemplation, she would gaze as if glimpsing a spirit;
Her ideas flashed like lightning.
Dark-skinned like the deep shadows of the forest,
10 As eternal powers that loom over the earth.
When she walked, her footsteps echoed like water,
Proud and confident, fearing neither life nor death.
It was for this reason people cast their eyes downward,
Snapping twigs like children in her presence.
In her company, people waited for their turn.
When she spoke, only her voice, round and beautiful, could be heard:
"Zulu and Qwabe were children of Malandela.
Qwabe, like older brothers, lacked the zeal of his brother.
He was slow to think and slow to act.
20 He boasted only in the glories of his father, King Malandela,
Unlike Zulu, who was always devising new ideas.
Even at the Assembly, he was never silent.
His keen mind grasped the thoughts of others like a scorpion's grip.
For this, he was beloved at the Assembly;
His absence often sparked protests: 'Where is the prince?'
Due to this, Qwabe envied his brother,
Yet there was nothing he could do,
For indeed, the heir must please;
His power must derive from the importance of his position.
Not so for the unfortunate others,
Who must strive and survive through intrigue and sharp intellect.
35 Zulu, by his alertness, did not enhance his brother's name,
Nor did his followers bow to their future king.
He was as hard and unbending as a winter cane.
These disputes threatened to sever the bonds of kinship.
Wise King Malandela decided:
To preserve peace, he must assign Zulu his own special place,
Removing him from the acient lands and graves of his forefathers
He said, "My son, take this portion of your father's wealth,
And never let it graze in your brother's fields."
He gave him his finest breed of white cattle,
And among them, he placed a giant black bull.
Prince Zulu relocated with all his wealth to his own domain,
Declaring, "By my prosperity, these lands shall be the envy of all."
Indeed, his prophecy came to fruition;
He nurtured a special herd, feeding them the tenderest grass.
As they grazed, passers-by stood in awe and admiration.
He separated his cattle into distinct pens and grazing grounds,
15 His royal village becoming a marvel to many peoples,
The envy of numerous princes.
From his gathering of followers and admirers,
He forged the first foundation of the Zulu people;
To this day, we trace our lineage to this wise prince.
20 For as long as people inhabit the earth, so shall our nation endure."

As she concluded, it became evident to everyone present

That Shaka, in her mind, embodied the reincarnation of this prince.
He fulfilled the promise made by the Ancestors to them.
25 The astute Princess understood that great history is never devoid of heroes;
Great nations are those that boast a noble ancestry.
Indeed, artists embellish their past to inspire future generations.
With this, she sang the song of Zulu and was moved to tears:
"Those who worship foreign gods are swallowed by them.
30 The greatness of our land lies in the glory of our children.
As we fight our battles, we create their tales."

Like the poet who fashioned the sacred staff,

Carving it from the ebony of the ancient forest,
The princess, too, recounted the tales of the Forefathers.
35 In her honor, the poet proclaimed:
"Mother of the cunning ones, crafty daughter of the River Snake,
As you tell a tale, you lead a person to their destiny!
You conquered the sorcerers;
You vanquished Mkhongoyiyana near the Mngadi villages;
40 You obliterated Bheje among the diviners."
That trapped people and was nourished by them.
This is true of Nohela of Mlilo.
Great fire that burns amongst all the mountains,
It seized Nohela and swallowed him.
The cow that bellowed from the hill of Sangoyana,
Its voice boomed and exploded into heaven.
The distant villages of Gwabalanga heard its moaning. (He was the son, Mndaba of the
Khumalo clan).
After reaching puberty the young woman spoke no more.
Some began to gossip about her, commenting on her turbulent mind.
She caused the hunters to capture the birds without effort.
As they seized them she stared at them in the eye.
She opened all the gates for people to enter,
But members of her family had to enter through the small gates.
She, the devourer of the magic herbs who surrounded the enemies,
The Mhlathuzi river is going to overflow at broad daylight!
She, the fieldmouse that opened the paths to the land of Malandela,
And said: "Only those of Malandela Shall travel along these sacred routes.
Only they shall take the direction they choose."

As kingdoms grow they breed their own internal enemies,

Spawning those who desire to eat the fruit of power
And extinguish the rays of the sun. Such was the fate of Shaka's rule.
While acts of heroes blazed with grandeur at the memorial cairn,
There were those who ached with festering grudges,
Who, like Prince Dingane, often generated hatreds against Shaka.
Prince Dingane often swore aloud by his father's sovereignty.
He and Prince Mhlangane never fully acclaimed their brother's rule:
They planted seeds of doubt about his war tactics and reign.
Shaka heard these rumors.
Loyal followers urged him to eliminate these troublesome voices,
But Shaka only said: "These are my brothers."
How can I kill those who are the children of my father? Besides, who would rule the country
should I die in battle?" Indeed, Shaka himself never filled the royal grounds with royal issue.
His children were secretly given to relatives or removed. Fearing his displeasure, old women
became adept at keeping secrets. Even the King's favorite woman of the Cele clan never
boasted his child, despite her endless pleas; Nor did the King soften to the tears of Nandi.

Encouraged by the absence of an heir, the princes frantically plotted against their brother.
They spoke to Princess Mkhabayi, hoping to win her sympathy, But she never swerved: she
spoke profusely in praise of Shaka. She proclaimed publicly: "Shaka is the only ruler who
shall make our nation great. He does not hoard the loot of wars like others Or breed large
numbers of princes and princesses, Who by their conceit often squander what is rightly of
the nation."

Kingdoms and states and empires are kept intact by their poets - It is they who embellish
their tales, making the future desirable. Thus, too, did Princess Mkhabayi inspire loyalty to
Shaka's rule. Of the people of Zululand it was said: "They walk high with crowns of red
feathers on their heads. They stare into the dome of the sky, unafraid. From the south, from
the north, and from the sun's nocturnal home, People sing the great anthems of the Zulu
nation."

Day after day the regiments built up their anger against Zwide, Pointing their spears to his
region and composing fierce anthems; Mgobhozi often provoked them with tales of Zwide's
rule and cruelty. More ardent than others was the ufasimba regiment; They requested to be
the first in battle against Zwide. It was not long before the sparks of war exploded in
Nguniland. Zwide, unable to restrain his anger,

Shouted to the mountains the slogans of war: "Young boy of Senzangakhona, You swore at
me in the hearing of nations. I, son of Langa, King of Kings, I heard your blasphemy When
you called me an old, dried-up cow-hide; Yet I was senior to you and as old as your father. I
shall yet tear up the sinews of your youth!"

Though not yet fully prepared for this war, Shaka set out, vowing: "I shall cut the tongue of
this he-goat." Shaka said to Mgobhozi: "Anger is not enough in this war. I have sent a
message to my relatives of the Qwabe clan, Asking them to give me support against this
fierce Zwide. It is hard for us to tackle this challenge alone - Our army still suffers the
wounds of the Qokli battle. The assault of Zwide would be too heavy on our troops. Besides,
in the south we need an opening for retreat."

While Mgobhozi agreed with these words, he was not convinced of Shaka's judgment. He
said: "My lord, I doubt if the Qwabes shall join us. Would they not rather wait the outcome
of war? Remember, my lord, there are ancient grudges in your families."

While Mgobhozi was talking and arguing against these high expectations, a messenger was
heard, announcing to the king: "I did go, my lord, to Phakathwayo of the House of
Malandela, Telling him: 'My lord of the House of Zulu borrows some shields. The wild man
Zwide is out on a rampage again.'"

King Phalathwayo just laughed, making fun of my words. He said: "Go back to him and say I
ask him this question: Does he not know the custom of Nguniland, Not to swear at those
senior and older than him? Those who breach the laws should suffer the consequence. They
should be punished even if they be of our house and family. Tell him these words come
from Phakathwayo, the son of Khondlo. Tell him I have, indeed, observed for some time his
conceit. He has scattered and terrorized even those under my protection!"

It was as though Shaka had been hit on his chest: He was spitting and swearing inaudible
words of anger. He said: "I shall teach him. I am the grandson of Jama! Go back to him, then.
Tell him to get ready for battle. I shall not delay, I, Nodumehlezi, the son of Menzi."

He summoned his army from all the hills and valleys; Phakathwayo's ears were deafened by
the sound of war songs. Yet it was no war to tell one's grandchildren about. Soon the Qwabe
army was thrown into disarray. Indeed, many had denounced this war, Saying it would open
the door to enemies. The Zulus returned, still itching for fiercer battles, Eager to settle their
scores against their true enemy, Zwide.

When he heard of the swift defeat of Phakathwayo, He said to his supreme commander
General Soshangane: "Do you see how skillfully the boy of Senzangakhona fights? Had he
desired it he would have destroyed the Qwabe nation, But he only gave a warning blow,
Fighting as though preparing for some ultimate battle; For now many are full of praise,
Lauding his generous gesture of preserving his relatives. I want you to destroy this growing
monster: I want you to return with his head. If you fail it is your head I shall demand."

The Ndwandwes prepared for war like numerous teams of locusts. Even the young
sharpened their light spears. Everyone talked once again of this war as a war to end all wars,
Certain it would determine the supreme master of the earth. Many swore no war would
ever be so fearful. It was said from the battlefields only messengers should survive. From
the poet, generations thereafter shall ask: "What great issues could provoke so fearful a
war?" Of the War-of-the-Hurricanes he shall only shed tears: Old age and time shall seal his
mouth.

The Zulu regiments swarmed like flying ants after rains, Eager to challenge and defeat
Zwide's army. Shaka now launched his army in all directions; He sent a command to the
regions of the battlefield.
Ordering the season's harvest to be reaped at once.
Every grain and food-store was to be razed to the ground and burnt.
Nothing was to remain in all the summer fields.
Shaka knew as he planned these stratagems Zwide's army carried no supplies
But relied on the loot extorted from the conquered peoples.
Shaka's army carried its own provisions through the young carrier boys.
No sooner had the two armies come close to each other
Than Shaka shouted a battle command to all Zulu generals, Ordering them to disengage with
speed and to retreat.
The Ndwandwe army followed, bewildered by this action, Thinking perchance the large
Zwide army
Had intimidated the unprepared Zulu army.
Up and down the smaller and larger hills they chased after them,
At intervals accelerating their speed but beaten down by the sun,
Their sandalled feet blistered from the hot earth. The fingers of hunger restrained their zeal.
Everywhere they found only burnt harvests.
They charged into every grain pit
Like dogs famished for a full five-day cycle.
They were like hens digging frantically after rains. Trapped, they still followed the Zulu army.
Across a winding stream they halted.
There they conferred of the ways to overtake the Zulu army, But the Zulus launched endless
forays and attacks.
General Soshangane spoke his concern to General Zwangendaba: "I think I can see what
snares they are laying for us -
As our army is drained by exhaustion they shall attack full-scale. Go to all our regiments and
announce to them:
"The Zulus fight to protect large stores of grain and meat."
Then each man shall fight, hoping to gain by his effort." General Zwangendaba conveyed
this message
Though he knew it was only to keep up their spirits.
The Zulus spread their lines around them, singing their battle songs.
The Ndwandwe army milled together in contusion.
Without warning, they suddenly scattered in all directions, disrupting the commander's
schemes and stratagems. Shaka let loose his troops on them,
Causing further panic among the tired Ndwandwe troops.
In disorder, they attempted to throw their missiles. But the Zulus crept closer, forcing them
onto their haunches.
Like winter leaves, they fell on the broken ground.
Humiliated and defeated, the Ndwandwes began to retrace their steps.
The ancient poet enshrined this occasion in the great epic:
"The chaser of men who chases without stopping -
How I loved him as he pursued Zwide, the son of Langa,
Following him from the regions of the rising sun
And making him seek sanctuary in the land of the setting sun.
Zwide was the man whose little shoulders he broke in two,
Like an old man surprised by youth!
Fierce one, whom they announce in terror
As they flee from their homes."
The poet tells us how General Soshangane
Sent word to Zwide, saying:
"Your army has been lost to Shaka of Senzangakhona."
Soshangane himself broke off from Zwide,
Inviting all forces hostile to him to desert the aging monarch.
He crossed the plains to the north,
Where he set up the great Gasa kingdom. But the grudges of battle die hard:
There the Zulu army pursued him many years after.
It was as though Soshangane had blasphemed the king's name,
So great was the eagerness to bring him to justice.
Only Zwangendaba returned with the depleted army.
Ahead of him, Shaka sent a section of his own army,
Who, by singing Zwide's victory songs, lured them to their defeat.
The Mbonambi and Siphezi regiments set Zwide's capital in flames,
Sending the troublesome ruler fleeing for his life.
Thus was avenged the many peoples and rulers
Whom Ntombazi had kept for ridicule in her house. It was this macabre house that was kept
intact;
Here the Zulus ceremonially buried all Zwide's victims. Performing all rites appropriate to
them.
From every direction anthems of victory were sung.
The regiments shouted their battle call: "Zulu power is eternal."
From the lands of the setting sun,
The voice of triumph traveled to the regions of the rising sun. King Macingwane of the
Chunu spoke on his throne.
"Listen to the heroes as they narrate their tales of battle," Zulu, the son of Nogandaya of the
Zungu clan, said to Mgobhozi:
"We attacked them at night when they hoped to sleep,
Believing we, too, should rest like all armies of Nguniland
Who never attack in darkness.
Confused and blinded by night, each man stabbed the one next to him.
Only with the star of dawn did we return to our camp.
Vakaza, the son of Heshane, Msinga, the son of Noti,
Vumazwe, the brave son of the Zondi family, Moyeni who was loved by women: all died
there."
Mgobhozi of the Mountain could see clearly the truth of this episode.
He said, "We have succeeded in digging out the root of an evil tree.
What remains are only little plants.
Their stems shall be cut by the little boys."
He referred to the little kingdoms that bordered the south.

"No celebration in the whole history of Zululand shall exceed in glory the one held on this
occasion.
Even old ladies constantly spoke of it in awe.
Festival songs were no longer sung with the voices of children
But combined those of the Ndwandwe and the Mthethwa nations.
Through these, the Zulu nation swelled in numbers;
Even their dances affected a multitude of styles.
Thus many stared in wonderment as the dancer of the Jali clan
Moved slowly, thrusting his foot forward,
While tall young men circled him in snake movements.
At intervals they touched the ground with their toes.
Finally, ten thousand troops entered the arena!" Even the Ancestors heard their dancing,
For the Forefathers always rejoice in our joys.
They stand at the passes of their divine mountains, watching us,
Happy to see the huge rounds of our feasts.
Was it not known to everyone
That Dingiswayo's spirit was there,
Celebrating with his children the downfall of his enemy?
Was it not acknowledged by Jama's children
That his spirit saw with pride the fulfillment of his dream?

Shaka caused many eyes to stare as he emerged,

Adorned for the festival in colors of triumph.
On his shoulders were epaulettes of soft otter skin
And on his head was the long feather of the loury bird.
He carried a large white shield centered with a deep black spot.
The poet, inspired by this spectacle, declaimed:
"The glorious feather that bends over beyond the Nkandla forest,
Arching to devour the crowds of men!"
The majesty that was Shaka was embellished with white tails,
His arms were covered with ivory amulets.
As he stood facing the noonday sun, his body glistened,
Radiating the secrets of mind and contentment.
All around him sat the royal women:
Next to Shaka sat Nandi, the Queen Mother.
Her body was covered in a long robe of leopard skin;
Her arms were round, full, and gentle.
On them were ornaments bequeathed by queens and kings of many lands
Who sought favors and protection from her son.
Princess Mkhabayi sat near her own regiments
Who were famed everywhere for their fierceness.

The great ministers of the land sat in a circle around the king,
Their headrings glistening from the sun's fire.
The poets of the land sang their new songs,
Each declaiming the great episodes of battles.
They commented in turn on the epic histories of the Zulu nation;
They sang of the great heroes of ancient times;
They sang the old poems of Jubinqwanga;
Yet none could surpass in skill Magolwane,
Who was the beautiful voice of the Ancestral Spirit.
He scattered words like sparks of fire.
He beat the ground with his ceremonial stick.
His voice trembled and boomed to the cliffs.
He sang the great epics:

"The black thunderhead of Mageba

That roared over the mountains of Nomangci -
It exploded behind the village of Kuqhobekeni
And the bellies of men were chilled.
It seized the shields of the Maphela and the Mankayiya regiments.
The little melons were left half eaten by iziMpaka regiment.
He seized Nomahlanjana, the son of Zwide, of the Mapheleni regiment;
He swallowed up Noben'gula, the son of Zwide, of the Mapheleni regiment;
He killed Mpepha, the son of Zwide, of the Mapheleni regiment;
He killed Dayingubo, the son of Zwide, of the Mapheleni regiment;
He seized Sonsukwana, the son of Zwide, of the Mapheleni regiment;
He eliminated Zwide's wife of Lubongo clan;
He destroyed Mtimona, the son of Gaga, of the Mapheleni regiment;
He killed Mhondo-phumela-kwezinde of the Mapheleni regiment;
He killed Ndengezi-mashumi of the Mapheleni regiment;
He destroyed Sihlamthini among those of Zwide;
He killed Nqwangube, the son of Lundiyan.
He was our hero, as he turned his shield in all directions.
Come back, Great Destroyer, it is enough!"
As Magolwane declaimed his epic,
Great crowds acclaimed and cheered his words.
Their voices resounded from a distance like a waterfall:
They were like a million singers heard all at once.

The evening, with its many vessels, brings together the singing voices.
The teller of tales sits on the mountainside,
Listening and humming his song in homage;
From many hills, the poems of excellence are sung.
The night feeds the dream and those of future times. From the upper regions, the teller of
tales speaks:
"We sing a new great song:
From the power of life, each generation gives birth
Until by the thickness of their numbers their dust darkens the sun.
Someone is pregnant.
The child shall rejoice in what is to come.
A son of our nation follows the dark path to the forest.
He shall open the way for the children;
Because of him the sun shall wait,
Lingering in the east until he has arrived.
To accompany him, it opens its giant center,
Exposing the path into the end of the earth.
Our nation shall live and multiply forever.
We are the Children of the Palm Race."

Such were the songs of the oracle,

But no one was listening,
Except one young boy whose body he entered,
Generating in it a great power,
Binding his lips until the Forefathers had spoken.

In the remote regions, people celebrated.

They sang of Mbonambi, of Ntenjana, of Siphezi, and
Of uFasimba, of Jubinqwanga, of amaWombe, of uDlambu regiments.
They composed songs and poems about their heroes.
General Mdlaka was the theme of many songs and legends;
For his skill in battle, he was nicknamed 'Shaka's spirit'.
It was said he laughed loud as he fought in battle.
Of all commanders, none inspired to greater acts of courage than he.
Boy detachments swore by his name:
They vowed to equal and surpass their seniors in all things.

Women regiments danced to their own battle songs.

Young men and women sang from distant hills:
"Our land shall stretch beyond the horizon.
Of what use is fear?
Great is the feast in Zululand - let all people come.
Listen to the women singing across the river."
They are the women of Baqulusi regions. They sing of the festival.
They give warning to Macingwane of Luboko. They threaten Mvelase of the Thembus.

Such were the songs that cemented the bonds of clans and nations.
Those who narrate tales of ancient times tell us
Despite all this, Nandi still yearned for her own grandchild. When she heard how Mbuzikazi
of the Cele clan
Might yet bear the king a child,
She made elaborate plans to save it.
She said: "I shall steal this child and make it my own. I shall bring it up secretly under my
care,
Nourishing it as I did my own children."

Nandi sent a message to the king:

"I suffer constantly from ill health. Of all the royal women,
I trust the gentle and kindly daughter of the Cele clan;
I ask that in this condition she alone attends me."
By such a ruse, she hoped to hide this pregnancy.
Months passed; people began whispering;
Words of gossip spread like a new season's crop.
It was Mbopha's wife who exposed the secrets.
She said to her husband, the chief of the royal household:
"It seems many surprises shall come from Nandi's household. I am a woman. I know the
craftiness of other women.
I know a woman when her body has become beautiful. Such is the state of the favorite
woman of the king.
The king himself seems ignorant of this truth.
He does not know his household grows in secret."

She planted these words in the sharp ears of Mbopha,

Knowing he craved to be the king's most favored counselor. He was weak and flatterable.
No sooner had this been whispered to his ear
Than he hurried to report to the king:
"My lord, I bring news that is disturbing to me.
To speak of it, I must expose the secrets of your right hand, But I speak only to fulfill the
duties of my office. I love my king sincerely:
I know our whole future depends on him." It is our task to do as ordered. By your laws many
nations have been brought together - To follow them is to fulfill the vision of our greatness;
To overlook them is to destroy our very nation.

For this reason, I am bound to tell all secrets Though our Forefathers have said: "Affairs of
families hurt only the outsider."

Thus did Mbopha throw words to soften the king. Shaka's eyes moved, keen to know
Mbopha's story
Even before Mbopha could tell it.
For rulers often prefer to be ahead of their underlings.
Through their eyes, they learn the secrets of their subjects.

Shaka spoke slowly and carefully:

"Mbopha, son of Sithayi, I have put you above everyone,
Trusting you and believing in you.
I did not ask you to distinguish for me what deserves my judgment.
These rumors have already reached my ears
But I waited for you to tell me the whole truth.

Thus, I order you no longer to swallow words; Indeed, much more important affairs demand
my attention."

Mbopha was restless; he still spoke in fragmented thoughts:

"My lord, I am frightened to tell the truth,
Yet I have the command of my king.
By your command, I speak of the Female Elephant, Mother Nandi.
She and the beloved daughter of the Cele clan
Hide from you a secret child born to your house."

It was as if something had stabbed the king.

He stood up suddenly and said:
"Mbopha, son of Sithayi, do you know what you are saying?
Have you got the full truth of this tale?"

Mbopha shivered, alarmed at this reaction.

He was like someone who had uttered words of war.
Mbopha's sweat ran over his face;
He moved his cold buttocks from side to side.

The great son of Senzangakhona filled the house with anger.

He spoke to Mbopha solemnly and said:
"Son of Sithayi, I want you to leave me alone.
I want to put into place my thoughts."
Such news is too heavy for my shoulders. Go, before my anger overwhelms me, Choosing
you to thrust its whirlwind blade, Thus making me a target of blame among the Zulu
people."

As he spoke, his mind seethed like a volcano. He groaned like a young tiger at its first kill. He
sat alone on one side of the house, brooding. His thoughts racing like a pain.

For the first time in the whole span of his life, His desires had been flagrantly violated by his
parent. His house seemed enveloped in darkness.

He laughed at the many thoughts that came to his mind. All day long Shaka kept alone. Even
Mgobhozi never got near to assuage his mind.
It was as though he was dressing for some festival. As he stepped onto the open ground,
"Go to my mother. Tell her before the sun sets tomorrow I shall have arrived at the grounds
of her royal residence."

No sooner had the early morning spread its seeds of light, Than Shaka began bedecking his
elaborate adornments. It was as though he was dressing for some festival. As he stepped
onto the open ground, His very footfalls seemed to echo his inner thoughts. He was slow of
movement and slow of speech. With a small army of bodyguards, he traveled through
mountains and valleys.

In the whole journey, he seldom spoke. At Nandi's royal city, he rested, eager to put
together his words. After his respite, he headed for Nandi's special residence. There she
waited for him; She sat leisurely on a multi-colored mat. With a stammer, he began to speak
to her, His anger choking him:

"Mother, many times I have endured great pains But never have I ever faced so great a
challenge. The one closest to me has betrayed me! Mbopha tells me you harbor what shall
be the death of our house."
A child, supposedly mine, has been kept away from me! Yet I am still convinced never could
my parent act against me. What example would I be setting for the army? What wise
general would ask of his men what he himself would not do? Yet something deeper eats
into my mind: Of all living beings you are the only one I truly trust, Nor have I criticized or
condemned your own deeds But of late you have opened the doors to my enemies. Perhaps
in my deeds I was blinded by my heart When I vowed never to allow enemies to cross our
path. I ask you to give me some clearer explanation. How have I erred? How have I wronged
you?

The old, experienced Nandi calmly answered: "Shaka, my son, no one is gifted in all things.
You have many types of knowledge and experiences But one aspect still remains obscure to
you: The heart that yearns to fulfill its dreams and fantasies. It is not out of evil that people
act against others, But love sometimes obscures itself in acts of cruelty. The older I get, the
greater are my concerns. Thus by my own love I am weakened. I had hoped when these two
voices sang to each other The dynasty of your house shall nourish forever our land. I live
alone, despite all the abundance; I have never had peace since I first spoke to you. But all
that I utter now is not enough. Only one thing troubles me above all else: I fear Mbopha; I
fear him as I fear a snake. Often I feel he shall bring great tears to our house. Even now our
talks no longer have meaning Since, by his orders, he has killed the very child I loved. Such a
man is dangerous! He kills today; he shall always thirst for more blood."

Shaka was quiet, his mind deeply absorbed in thought. He was uncertain whether to
condemn Mbopha utterly Or to uphold his act as one of devotion to his master. Besides, by
this deed he had weakened his own case; yet a dutiful councillor must elevate the nation's
laws. Having sorted out his thoughts he said:
"I understand the deep truths in your words. I endorse them, too, in accordance with your
thinking. But there are still other demands of power Whose laws and rules remain obscure
to you. The command of our Ancestors demands acts greater than ourselves. I am a king,
who must rule over many nations of Zululand. It is by these laws I myself must abide. They
must extend beyond the circumstance of self.

I have ordered the army not to marry except by special command. I, too, must follow these
laws, whatever the consequences. I must elevate the glory that attends to our nation and
army. If I fail and choose only what satisfies my own appetite, Then there shall be greater
disasters than ever before. It would be better if the nation of Zululand Had not been roused
in its nest of peace.

People follow the example of their heroes; They imitate the image that best fulfills their
fantasies. Should I fail, the nation itself shall disintegrate. I explain all this only because it is
you. To follow the heart is noble, Yet it does not rule the thoughts and minds of men.

Often it doubts, it hesitates and abounds in self-recrimination. Yet a leader must act
decisively where others flee in terror. He must walk unafraid and unintimidated by all
shadows. These things must inspire others to greater triumphs. Our spirits no longer follow
the same path. Yours suffers the emptiness of plenty But mine is the spirit of a restless
traveler.

It must forever be thrilled by the strangeness of things. Your own visions bear their own
truth - Perhaps this way they nourish their own worlds. It is possible that your fears about
Mbopha are true, But I have no way to remove him as the nation's honored councillor. His
task is to see what I cannot see, To be the nation's agent and to protect its king.

What would the nation say If, because of my own whim, I removed him from power?"
People will surely complain: "This is no ruler of the people. He succumbs to his parent and
follows personal fears." I cannot follow the heat of my anger And say, because of his deed
Mbopha must die.

Besides, whoever shall assume his power Shall abide by the same rules and the same
authority. It is wiser, then, to retain the man whose mind I know Than to seek those whose
hearts take time to fathom. I ask you, then, to see things with my eyes In the same way I
have always championed your truth, Even though at times it cut against my plans and
feelings.'

As he spoke Nandi stared at him kindly and said: 'Mlilwana, you shall escape any trap laid for
you. For in truth you sense the desires and needs of people. You sift and weigh all acts of
men. I love you, my son, despite all the pains I suffer for it. But know I have the heart of a
woman. All this enthusiasm about wars does not excite me. Even though I listen and praise
these battles and heroes It is only to fulfil what is highest in your mind. I thank you for your
insight into my desire for a child. This understanding alone nourishes me with deep
fulfilment. It is this I treasure above all else; It shall yet console me in my loneliest
moments.'

Shaka hugged his parent to remove the sadness in her eyes. Even Nandi wept tears of joy.
While Shaka displayed all this affection His mind had not forgotten Mbopha's unsolicited
act. He remembered now many strange incidents: How Mbopha would be heard laughing at
Dingane's residence, Then next he would be heard at the home of Prince Mhlangana. Many
reported their suspicions to the king But Shaka knew: men in positions of authority Often
attract to them many secret enemies.

Through their arrogance they became detestable to all. Such had become of Mbopha, the
son of Sithayi. He swelled with conceit, avoiding those whom he once honoured. He opened
and closed the royal gates at will, Deciding who should see the king and when. Abusing his
power, he spread the hostile words of the princes, Creating a spate of poisonous talk. Shaka,
learning of these stories, approached Mkhabayi. Speaking solemnly he said:

"Great and wise one, you were here before us. I ask you to share with me your great
wisdom. My brothers are always criticizing my actions Despite all I have done for them. As
the head of our house I have given them all they need. Their complaints are never spoken
directly to me But are secretly conveyed to those who are not members of our family; Yet I
have vowed to them our family together must rule, Giving to each other the harshest and
the best advice. Even now I hesitate to rush into things, Yet all their violent words begin to
challenge my authority - And make us appear a family in dissension."

The wily daughter of Jama, assuming her composure, said: "Shaka, my son, listen to me.
There is no ruler in this world without fault. Your brothers criticize only out of love, Proud of
the family you share together: In truth, this is how they elicit the truth from your enemies.
Above all, they never can be wiser than you. Even as they criticize your actions They know it
is only to enhance their own reputations. You should only laugh at whatever talk is reported
to you. Words often assume a fierceness when reported by others."

Through such words did Mkhabayi restore the peace in the family. She was not like Nandi of
the Mhlongos. She took pleasure in accompanying her regiments with a song; She
declaimed the great epics of her Forefathers and heroes. Her warm and friendly words
consoled Shaka's heart. He said to Mgobhozi: "It is true, in all large families The young
frequently challenge their elders, Yet the strong bonds of family survive." As he spoke many
pleasant thoughts passed through his mind.