Mthethwa Paramountcy

The Mthethwa Paramountcy, sometimes referred to as the Mtetwa or Mthethwa Empire, was a Southern African state that arose in the 18th century south of Delagoa Bay and inland in eastern southern Africa. "Mthethwa" means "the one who rules". History records tell us that the Mthethwa people are part of the original Nguni category of a cluster of clans, whose modern identity dates back some 700 years. They are among the original Nguni groups who left the Great Lakes in Central Africa between 200AD and 1200AD. On arrival in Southern Africa, they settled around modern-day Swaziland, mainly on the Lubombo Mountains, before leaving in the 17th century to settle in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal, in the Nkandla region. It consisted of more than 30 Nguni tribes, and perhaps others. Unlike its successor, the Zulu Kingdom, the Mthethwa Paramountcy was a confederation of like tribes and clans. After Shaka Zulu became king, he forged a nearly homogeneous nation with a single king (nkosi).