King
Shaka Death
During
the late afternoon of 22 September 1828 (the official date commemorated
is the 24. but is incorrect). King Shaka was seated on a large rock
(which now stands behind his memorial) known as his throne, under a
wild fig tree in Nyakamubi, when traders arrived. They had come to
deliver blue crane tail feathers and animal skins that they had been
sent to gather for him from Pondoland (Transkei).
King Shaka was being attended by his bodyguard, Mbopa. He became very angry because
the traders had kept him waiting, and their goods were of inferior quality, according
to Mbopa, and a general shouting match developed. Unbeknown to Shaka, Mbopa and
Shaka’s two half-brothers, Dingane and Mhlangana were planning to assassinate
him.
In the confusion, the three assassins put their deadly plan into action. From
behind the nearby stockade of the Nyakamubi kraal, and through a side opening,
behind Shaka's back came Dingane and Mhlangana with their spears. Mhlangana stuck
Shaka on his left side, aiming for his heart, but instead hit the King's left
upper arm. Disgusted, but ever brave, King Shaka strode away from them, probably
heading for the entrance to Dukuza, and safety, but they followed, striking him
repeatedly in the back. He fell dead at the entrance of the Nyakamubi kraal.
His faithful companion, Pampata guarded the massive, 1 metre, 91 cm
(6 ft. 4 in.) Muscular body all through the night, keeping the wild animals at
bay, with a pole taken from the Nyakamubi fence.
On the following day the three assassins, and others, had a black ox killed,
and wrapped the King’s body in its skin. Inside and near the entrance of
the Nyakamubi kraal, there was a newly dug grain pit. They lowered Shaka's body
and all his possessions down into the empty pit and filled it with rocks, forming
a cairn of rocks over the top.
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