Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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Mpande's skilful diplomacy in handling different colonial establishments
proved ineffective in forging unity between his hostile sons. This also
stigmatized his dignity as the reigning monarch. He was the reigning
monarch, but political matters in the 1850's led to challenges by the two
claimants Mbuyazi and Cetshwayo. The question of Mpande's heir
remained unsettled. The government of the Transvaal Republic (ZAR)
maintained that Mpande regarded his son Cetshwayo as successor to the
Zulu throne. At his palace, he whispered that Mbuyazi was heir, because
his mother was presented to him by king Shaka. The British exploited
Mpande's preference ofMbuyazi as his successor to the throne instead of
Cetshwayo.
The majority of the Zulus, however, preferred Cetshwayo as their future
king, whilst the British viewed him as unacceptable due to his alleged
antagonism towards White people. Internal strife culminated in the battle
of Ndondakusuka on 2 December 1856. During the battle some of the
British traders were compelled to leave their cattle behind on an island in
the Thukela River. After the war, Mpande sent a message to Lieutenant­
Governor Scott that Cetshwayo had expressed willingness to compensate
traders who lost property at dondakusuka. The subsequent Zulu civil
war of 1856 demonstrated a decline in Mpande's power and influence
within the Zulu kingdom. From ]857 until his death in ]872, the Zulu