Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

-54-
Senzangakhona had nominated Bhakuza as heir apparent. Bhakuza was
killed by Dingiswayo about 1816'1 Senzangakhona next nominated
Sigujana as his heir, but was shortly afterwards killed by Shaka after the
death of Senzangakhona in 1816. Shaka's successful plot to drown
Sigujana while he was at the river was recorded in his praises:
"Isiziba esiseMavivane
[A shallow lukewarm stream]
Esiminzis' umuntu ethi uyageza,
[That drowns a person while bathing]
Waze washona nangesicoco. "42
[He drowns even with headring]
Bryant identified Shaka's ascension to the Zulu leadership as a political
watershed:
41
42
"The passing of Senzangakhona
marked the end and the beginning of
two distinct periods in East-Nguni
political history. On that day a long
past ofpatriarchal rule was tolled to
its grave and the tocsin sounded ofa
new era of autocracy to be
inaugurated by his son. The
primordial system of numberless
clans and independent chieftains
would, amidst much wailing and
bloodshed, be gradually demolished,
and upon and out of its ruins would
AT Bryant: Olden Times in ZuJuland and Natal, p. 55.
AT Cope: Observations arising from Rycroft's study ofthe praises of Dingane",
pp. 296 - 301.