Dingane

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Dingane kaSenzangakhona (ca. 1795-1840) was a Zulu chief who became king in 1828.

He came to power after assassinating his half-brother Shaka with the help of another brother, Umthlangana, as well as Shaka's advisor Mbopa, where the modern-day town of Stanger is located, as the brutality of Shaka increased after the death of his mother Nandi.

Dingane lacked Shaka's military and leadership skills, however, and the cracks in the kingdom began to show as rebel chiefs broke away. These cracks were exacerbated by armed conflict with the newly arrived Voortrekkers.

In November of 1837 he met with Piet Retief and, in return for them recovering some stolen cattle, signed a deed of cession of lands (written in English) to the Voortrekkers. Two days of feasting later, on 6 February 1838, he killed Retief's diplomatic party. At the same time, his forces ambushed and killed Retief's band, about 500 Boers, men, women, and children, at Weenen (Afrikaans, "weeping," in memory of the massacre).

In revenge the forces of Andries Pretorius killed about 3,000 Zulus in the Battle of Blood River in a classic mismatch between guns and spears. Dingane's commander at the battle was Ndlela kaSompisi.

In January 1840 Andries Pretorius, with a commando of 400 burghers, helped Mpande in his revolt against Dingane, which resulted in his overthrow and death. Dingane was assassinated in Hlatikhulu Forest by Zulu Nyawo, Sambane and Nondawana while on a military expedition.

He was succeeded by Mpande - his (and Shaka's) half-brother.