The notions of ‘Zulu tribe’ and ‘Zulu nation’ and their use towards national political aspirations in South Africa
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Date
2018
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University of Zululand
Abstract
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.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of History, Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2018.
Keywords
Zulu tribe, Zulu nation, Politics -- South Africa