A watercolour showing Mzilikazi Khumalo King of the Ndebele. Image credit africanfederation.net

A watercolour showing Mzilikazi Khumalo King of the Ndebele. Image credit africanfederation.net

ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Ndebele State: The Role of the King in the Ndebele State

  • The King had several roles that he played in the political organisation of the Ndebele state.
  • These roles included:
  • Raising the amabutho (army)
  • Acted as the supreme commander of the army.
  • Acted as the chief judge in the state.
  • Allocated land.
  • Presided over religious ceremonies especially those of national importance.
  • Distributed captives, cattle and other loot obtained from the raids.
  • Appointed indunas.
  • Acted as the custodian of all cattle, land and people in the state.
  • He was a nation builder, statesman and military strategist.

To access more topics go to the History Notes page.