Browsing by Author "Mbatha, Mthandeni Patric"
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- ItemThe nature and extent of state formation process under emperor Shaka Zulu and its impact in Southeast Africa(University of Zululand, 2021) Mbatha, Mthandeni PatricThis study delves deep into and examinesthe nature and extent of state formation process under Emperor Shaka Zulu and its impact in Southeast Africa. State formation is the initial act of physically endowing a given territory with sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is done via several methods. First, it may be through the annexation of territory. Perhaps a very rare instance is voluntary cooperation by independent territories to form a new state. The second stage is that of creating political order, institutions or political leadership among others. This stage refers to the process of instituting a government and political order that enjoy sufficient legitimacy and authority. At that stage, the average role of the military may be required. The third stage is that of nation-building, which refers to the process of infusing the peoples of a given territory, who otherwise differ as regards custom, religion and sometimes language, with a sense of common belonging and shared identity or in short, what could be called ‘national integration’. Using a collection of both primary and secondary sources this argue argue that Zulu state which emerged in the early 1820s in Southeast Africa was forged out of many disparate chiefdoms practising different customs, speaking different dialects and claiming varied historical origins. The Zulu existed amongst other great independent nations – some were never going to allow themselves to be vassals of another kingdom. In that case, Emperor Shaka either befriended them or declared war on them. The consequences of the rise of the Zulu state were far-reaching, as migrations into the interior by attacking splinter groups from coastal communities resulted in countless refugees and the flight of various groups further inland. This created dislocated African communities over large areas. Despite previous theories, which have been used to understand the process such as the great man theory, or self made leader theory, historians now agree that leaders are mainly produced by the circumstance of the time. The present study opted to use adopt the Power Transition and Role Theories. These theories were of importance to understand the different role played by certain individuals in the process of state formation. These theories also help understand how the transition from agrarian societies to a centralised government.
- ItemThe notions of ‘Zulu tribe’ and ‘Zulu nation’ and their use towards national political aspirations in South Africa(University of Zululand, 2018) Mbatha, Mthandeni Patric; Shamase, M.Z.The aim of the study is to address the inappropriate application of European concepts onto distinctly African societies. The purpose of this dissertation is twofold. Firstly, to clearly establish that the concepts of Zulu tribe and Zulu nation are not only different but also represent different epochs in the history of the Zulu people. The notions Zulu tribe and Zulu nation have interchangeably been used to refer to the same group of people. Secondly, to discuss how the concepts were used to manipulate the populace of Zulu extraction to gain advantage in the national politics of South Africa. As Europeans expanded their trade, settlement and military domination around the world. They began trying to figure out the different forms of society and culture they encountered, including writing their history. For many people in Western countries, the subject of Africa immediately called up the word ‘tribe’. The Zulu in Southeast Africa did not escape the calling. The notions Zulu tribe and Zulu nations have interchangeably been used to refer to the same group of people - the ‘Zulu’. This study delves deep into the notions and analyse how they have been used differently. The study clearly establishes that the notions Zulu tribe and Zulu nation are not only different but also represent different epochs in the history of the Zulu people. It argues that King Shaka kaSenzangakhona used his spear to embroider together a diverse collection of tribes and clans into one might cultural quilt. The study discloses that beside its colonial imposition, the term tribe does not describe the Zulu people. The term Zulu nation appropriately describes the existing Zulu nation. It argues that when Shaka united his energy in 1816 to 1828, the resultant amalgamation of the few tribes constituted the current Zulu nation. Relying on a qualitative methodology, the study uses the principle of saturation to interview participants; it also relies on archival records in addition to current literature on the phenomenon. The study argues that the notions Zulu tribe and Zulu nation were used by different people for different purposes and effects. Findings have shown that the Zulu history was also used by colonists, missionaries, the leaders of the African petty bourgeoisie, the Zulu royal family and individual novelists to serve their own ends. Such people have had their own reasons to manipulate the concepts for their advantage. The study discusses that King Shaka became a potent symbol around which potential Zulu ethnic support was mobilized. After him many colonists, missionaries, leaders of the African petty bourgeoisie, the Zulu royal family members and individual novelists have manipulated the Zulu nation to serve their personal ends. South Africa turned to be a country in which the manipulation of ethnicity was at the heart of the government’s attempts to set up control over the majority of the African population. The study concludes with a clarion call that people should stop using ethnic support for their political aggrandizement. The politicization of ethnic differences can have deep effects on whether members of different groups perceive each other as friends or foes. This does not bring about unity, but it in all cases causes division within people. This has resultant violence in KwaZulu-Natal today.