Dingiswayo

Dingiswayo (?-1817) chief (1807-1817) of the small Zulu tribe of Mthethwa, who extended his control over about 30 different peoples, creating a centralized state of which he became paramount chief. He created a standing army based on age regiments, or impis, and was permanently at war with the neighbouring Ndwandwe led by Zwide. When aged about 22 Shaka joined Dingiswayo's army to become the captain of a regiment. Shaka's father, Sezangakona, who was the chief of a small tribe, had refused to recognize his son who was illegitimate, but when he died (c. 1816) Dingiswayo helped Shaka gain the chieftaincy over the heads of his legitimate half-brothers. In 1817, however, Dingiswayo was captured by Zwide and killed. His Mthethwa kingdom then disintegrated.