Mpande kaSenzangakhona

Mpande kaSenzangakhona
King of Zulu Kingdom
An 1849 portrait of King Mpande by George French Angas
Reign	1840–1872
Coronation	1840
Predecessor	Dingane
Successor	Cetshwayo
Born	1798
Died	1872 Zululand
Spouse	several wives (including Ngqumbazi, Monase, Nomantshali)
Issue	Cetshwayo, Dabulamanzi kaMpande, Mbuyazi and many others
Father	Senzangakhona kaJama
Mother	Songiya kaNgotsha Hlabisa

Mpande (1798–1872) was monarch of the Zulu Kingdom from 1840 to 1872, making him the longest reigning Zulu king. He was a half-brother of Sigujana, Shaka and Dingane, who both preceded him as kings of the Zulu. He came to power after overthrowing Dingane in 1840.

Though his reign was lengthy, for the latter part of his reign he was king in name only. His son Cetshwayo became de facto ruler in 1856. Mpande himself claimed that he preferred a quiet life and had only become king because he was forced into it.

Mpande was born in Babanango, Zululand, the son of Senzangakhona kaJama (1762 - 1816) and his ninth wife Songiya kaNgotsha Hlabisa. He was considered a weak man in comparison to his contemporaries. While other half-brothers were eliminated when his brother Dingane assassinated Shaka to become king in 1828, he was allowed to live. Mpande apparently showed no interest in Zulu power politics.

Mpande came to prominence when Dingane suffered a catastrophic disaster at the Battle of Blood River in December 1838. His defeat at the hands of the Boers led to unrest, which Dingane attempted to control by eliminating potential successors such as Mpande. In September 1839 Mpande defied his brother, who demanded his support in a war against the Swazi people. Fearing he would be killed if he joined Dingane, Mpande instead led thousands of Zulus into the Boer republic of Natalia. The Boers led by Andries Pretorius and Gert Rudolph decided to support Mpande, hoping to gain concessions if he could oust Dingane. In January 1840 Mpande's army led by Nongalaza defeated Dingane at the Battle of Maqongqo. Mpande arrived shortly after with Pretorious' force of Boers, and was proclaimed king.