Mpande kaSenzangakhona, son of Zulu chief Senzangakhona, was born in the year 1798[1]. Sadly, not much is known about the early life of Mpande until around 1828, when his half brother Shaka was assassinated by his other half brother Dingane and his accomplices[2]. With the death of Shaka, the traitorous Dingane started cleaning house. He killed anyone who he suspected of having supported Shaka and then replaced them with his own lackeys[3]. He even considered killing Mpande, but was convinced not to by his inDun (Zulu State official) Ndlela kaSompisi[4]. This is because Mpande was the only one of Senzangakhona to have produced an heir. By the late 1830’s King Dingane was having difficulties with the neighboring Boers as well as rebels within his own Zulu nation. In February 1838, Dingane had over 500 Borers (Farmers), including women and children massacred, because he wanted to retake land that had originally belonged to the Zulu nation[5]. This incident caused even further divide and hatred between the Zulus and the people of the Cape colonies. Then on 16 December 1838, Dingane had his 10,000 strong impi (Name of Zulu armies, Translation in English is war) attack the Voortrekker (those who pull ahead, Cape colonists who advanced deep into South Africa) camp on the Ncome River, again to regain lost territory[6]. This resulted in one of the most catastrophic defeats the Zulus ever experienced which would later be known as The Battle of Blood River[7]. Of the 470 Voortrekker present, only three were injured while the Zulus suffered about 3000 casualties[8]. It was a devastating blow to Dingane, and Mpande took the opportunity to revolt against him to gain control of the Zulus. Before going into open revolt against Dingane, in 1839 Mpande met with the leaders of the Boer to form an alliance against Dingane[9]. By doing this he ensured the strength needed to defeat Dingane, including trained arms men and gunpowder provided by the Boer. In January 1840, with the assistance of 400 Boers, Mpande attacked Dingane[10]. This battle was known as the Battle of Maqongqo[11]. Mpande not only had the benefit of the Boer riflemen as an advantage, Dingane’s general, Ndlela, charged Mpande’s forces in waves, which made it very easy for Mpande’s forces to retaliate[12]. Mpande had his forces deployed in the “Horns of the Buffalo” formation and was able to route the charges against his army with minimal casualties[13]. During this battle, Dingane was routed and Mpande was latter crowned King of the Zulus[14]. A treaty was later draw up stating the bounder between Zulu and Boer lands was the Tugela River[15]. Over his long reign as King, Mpande was never very popular. Most people preferred his son, Cetshwayo, especially after drought and famine hit the Zulu nation in the early 1850s[16]. Fearing the popularity and power of his son Cetshwayo, Mpande began giving more power to Mbuyazi, another of Mpande’s sons. He did this so Cetshwayo would have a rival, saving his own neck. They eventually fought in 1856, with Cetshwayo as the victor[17]. Seeing Cetshwayo's success, Mpande negotiated a peace. In 1857 Cetshwayo was King of the Zulus in all but title while, Mpande remained as “king” until the day he died on 18 October 1872[18].