The history of Shaka isn't just the history of a great individual ruler. To understand how Shaka was able to do what he did, we have to understand that Shaka was able to build a powerful Zulu Empire through revolutionizing Zulu warfare. This meant transforming the way that Zulus engaged in war and prepared for war. We have to understand that the process of consolidating the different ethnic groups in the region under a single political authority started with Dingiswayo and Shaka continued Dingiswayo's work. We should also look at the fact that the Zulu Empire continued to remain a military power even after Shaka was executed

The history of Shaka isn't just the history of a great individual ruler. To understand how Shaka was able to do what he did, we have to understand that Shaka was able to build a powerful Zulu Empire through revolutionizing Zulu warfare. This meant transforming the way that Zulus engaged in war and prepared for war. We have to understand that the process of consolidating the different ethnic groups in the region under a single political authority started with Dingiswayo and Shaka continued Dingiswayo's work. We should also look at the fact that the Zulu Empire continued to remain a military power even after Shaka was executed.

This is what I mean when I state that studying African history isn't about studying great individual rulers. We have to develop a holistic approach to how we study and view our history.