Mzilikazi KaMashobane
| Mzilikazi kaMashobane | |
|---|---|
Mzilikazi, as portrayed by William Cornwallis Harris, c. 1836 | |
| King of Mthwakazi | |
| Reign | c. 1823–1868 |
| Coronation | c. 1820 |
| Predecessor | Founder (father murdered; formerly a lieutenant of Zulu King Shaka) |
| Successor | Lobengulaas a regent standing for Nkulumane |
| Born | c. 1790 Mkuze, present day South Africa |
| Died | 9 September 1868 Matabeleland |
| Burial | 4 November 1868 a cave at Entumbane, Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe |
| Spouse | Several wives |
| Issue | Nkulumane first born (son) and Lobengula, from second wife and many others |
| House | Khumalo |
| Father | Mashobane kaMangethe (c. late 1700s – c. 1820s), |
| Mother | Cikose Ndiweni, a princess of the Amangwe clan |
Mzilikazi KaMashobane (real name Mzilikazi Khumalo, documented in colonial times as Moselekatse Khumalo; c. 1790 – 9 September 1868) was a Southern African king who founded the Mthwakazi kingdom in what is now called Matebeleland, Zimbabwe. His name means "The Great Road". He was born the son of Mashobane kaMangethe near Mkuze, Zululand (now known as KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa), and died at Ingama, Matabeleland (near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe). Many consider him to be the greatest Southern African military leader after the Zulu king, Shaka. In his autobiography, David Livingstone referred to Mzilikazi as the second most impressive leader he encountered on the African continent.