Tes Rogers
DNA on the Groot Trek: Malan, Erasmus, Retief, Taute
Mzilikazi was the renegade induna (chief warrior) from Shaka Zulu’s regiments, who had started his own “Mfecane” or “crushing” when he kept part of the loot from an attack for himself and fled from Shaka in 1822. Even though Shaka was assassinated in 1828 by his half-brother Dingane, Mzilikazi continued building his strongholds among the tribes in the interior, that he ruthlessly conquered with horrific attacks through the next fourteen years – even burning children of his enemies on piles of fire. His conquered tribes now became known as the Matabele. The Voortrekkers invariably crossed paths with Mzilikazi’s Matabele patrols.
