Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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Mpande failed to comply with Dingane's demands for regiments to take
part in a proposed raid on king Sobhuza II of Swaziland. But Mpande
sensed that this could be a plot of his half-brother to get rid of him and
therefore gave feeble excuses for not complying. Mpande was
confidentially advised by Ndlela ka Sompisi Ntuli to move southwards
with his followers. He crossed the Thukela and settled in the Mvoti area.
In 1839 Mpande sought closer ties with the Voortrekkers in preparation
for a military showdown against Dingane.' The external and colonial-
based military assistance rendered to Mpande in the dynastic struggle
signified a turning point in the internal affairs ofthe Zulu kingdom. King
Shaka as well as Dingane had tried to attain white trader support from
Port Natal through direct participation or firearm supplies· Mpande's
decision to seek an alliance with the Voortrekkers symbolised the
likelihood for future agreements and appeals. This could be mutually
profitable - Mpande gaining protection and the Voortrekkers close
knowledge ofthe Zulu Royal House and traditions. It also underlined the
need for rival groups within KwaZulu to appeal to external powers for
support.
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W.P. Lye: The Ndebele Kingdom south of the Limpopo river. Journal of African History. sx. I.
1969. p. 11. .
A. Kuper: The house and Zulu political suucrure in the 19'" Century. Va!. 34, p. 105.