About Karen Mukungurutse

She holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Social Work from Bindura University. She has a passion for helping others and has been involved in numerous academic and social projects.

February 2025

Sobhuza versus Zwide

By |2025-02-12T09:17:26+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

Nguni apparel. Image credit BBC

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Crisis in Nguniland: Sobhuza versus Zwide

  • Zwide Kalanga (1758-1825) was the king of the Ndwandwe/Nxumalo nation circa 1805 to circa 1820
  • Around the time Zwide was king the Ndwandwe were a growing military power
  • Zidwe was an ambitious leader keen on expanding […]
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Zwide and Dingiswayo

By |2025-02-12T09:17:53+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

A dance in honour of King Dingiswayo. Image credit dailysun.co.za

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Crisis in Nguniland: Zwide versus Dingiswayo

  • Dingiswayo(circa 1780-1817) was born Godongwana
  • He staged a failed coup against his father who was the king of the Mthethwa
  • He fled and adopted the name Dingiswayo which means wanderer
  • He came back […]
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Effects of Mfecane on Southern and Central Africa

By |2025-02-12T09:32:33+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

Zulu people in traditional warrior dress. Image credit wordpress.com

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Crisis in Nguniland: Effects of Mfecane on Southern and Central Africa

The effects of Mfecane can be grouped into positive and negative effects

Positive Effects

  • The Mfecane led to the creation of strong centralised new states that is, the Zulu […]
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Tshaka’s military innovations

By |2025-02-12T09:33:45+02:00February 12th, 2025|General|

Zulu war dance. Image credit ahram.org.eg

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Tshaka’s military innovations

  • Shaka did away with most of the military tactics that had been in existence in Nguniland and improved them.

Weapons

  • Shaka decided to abandon the long throwing spear assegai because he thought it was inefficient and replaced […]
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Military organization of the Zulu State

By |2025-02-12T09:34:25+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

An old photo showing the Zulu army. Image credit satravelblog.com

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Tshaka’s military innovations

  • Shaka kaZulu was the military commander
  • The army commanders and indunas were appointed by Shaka personally from the royal family
  • The army was very crucial in the day to day life […]
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Expansion of the Zulu State under Tshaka

By |2025-02-12T09:35:17+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

A statue of Tshaka kaZulu. Image credit blogspot.com

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Expansion of the Zulu State under Tshaka

  • Shaka consolidated his power series of battles with neighbouring states in which he raided, destroyed and absorbed.
  • By 1824 he had defeated all clans in the region or absorbed […]
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Political Organisation of the Zulu State

By |2025-02-12T09:35:49+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

Raiding was an important part of the Zulu Economy.Image credit distractify.com

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Economic Organisation of the Zulu State

  • The economy was centralized and controlled by the king. He was the sole distributor of war booty and food production.
  • The most important economic activity in the […]
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Political Organisation of the Zulu State

By |2025-02-12T09:36:53+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. Image credit ibtimes.co.uk

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Political Organisation of the Zulu State

  • The smallest political unit was the kraal or village and it was under the rule of a kraal head or umnumzane.
  • The kraal head dealt with disputes and quarrels
  • The kraal […]
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Social Organisation of the Zulu State

By |2025-02-12T09:37:37+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

Zulu women dancing. Image credit zululandobserver.co.za

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Social Organisation of the Zulu State

  • There was division of labour in the Zulu state, that is men did cattle rearing whist women did agriculture
  • Boys were taught to be aggressive whilst girls were taught to be submissive

    • […]

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Evaluation of Tshaka’s rule

By |2025-02-12T09:38:36+02:00February 12th, 2025|Notes, O Level History Notes, Ordinary Level Notes|

Tshaka kaZulu

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Zulu State: Evaluation of Tshaka’s rule

  • Shaka was a dictator and tyrant and performed many acts of inhumanity against his people and enemies
  • Shaka used terror and fear to rule his kingdom and consolidate his power
  • However some evidence available about Shaka sparing the […]
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