African history

Africa, being the second largest continent after Asia and having the largest number of countries, has a rich and diverse history. The northern coast of Africa is mountainous, while the Sahara, the largest non-polar desert on the planet, lies just south of it. The Sahara has had a significant impact on the history of sub-Saharan Africa, which is markedly different from that of the North. The Nile River Valley gave rise to several civilizations, and moving further south, the sub-Saharan region has a variety of terrains, including grasslands, tropical rainforests, and river valleys such as the Niger and Congo. East Africa is mountainous with plateaus and large lakes, and the Cradle of humankind is believed to be located in modern-day Kenya. In the south of Africa, there are dry deserts, hills, and plateaus, which are home to some of the most valuable mineral resources in the world. The origins of agriculture in Africa are believed to have begun about 7,000 years ago in the Sahel, the area between the Sahara and the Savannah. Hunting and gathering were the primary means of subsistence, and it was only after the Sahara became drier that some populations migrated south, spreading their farming techniques and leading to more diverse crops.

The individual recognized in history as Shaka Zulu was born during an uncertain period in the summer of 1787, within the heartland of the Zulu Kingdom, which primarily encompassed the Natal Province in the northeast of present-day South Africa. At birth, he was named Shaka Kasenzenka Kona, and his father was Senzenka Kona, the chieftain of the Zulu clan in modern-day Natal, where Shaka was born. Shaka's father had assumed the leadership of the clan around 1781, a few years before Shaka's birth. As the head of the clan, Senzengakona had several wives, as was customary in Zulu society, and sired numerous children, many of whom were male. Prior to Shaka's birth, he had several half-brothers, several of whom would play a role at various points in his later life and throughout the subsequent history of the Zulu Kingdom. Shaka's mother was Nandi, the daughter of Baby, a chief of the tribe of the Langeni people, a neighboring clan of the Zulus. However, Nandi was not one of Senzengakona's wives at the time of Shaka's conception and birth, which made him illegitimate in the eyes of the clan. As a result, Nandi and Shaka were cast out during his childhood. After a nomadic existence for a period of time in the late 18th century, Nandi and her son eventually settled with the Tethwa people. Here, Shaka excelled in his youth as a fighter and soon joined the warrior class of the Impetua. It was not uncommon for males in the region to involve themselves in military affairs once they entered their teenage years, but Shaka's abilities were nevertheless precociously advanced for his age. Yet, there were also worrying signs concerning the level of violence Shaka displayed even in his youth. At one time, the head of the Um Tetra, King Dingiswayo, a mentor of sorts to the future King of the Zulus, Senchaka, and several others, instructed them to attack the neighboring Bata people. This was intended to be a simple cattle raid, one which would only involve limited violence. However, Shaka had the troops he commanded attack the tribe, pursue them, and kill many of them before returning to Dingus Wyo with the stolen cattle.

The border between South Africa and Zimbabwe is a location of great natural beauty, but also one of significant lawlessness. Spanning 225 kilometers along the Limpopo River, this border presents a challenging stretch of wilderness to police. However, the declining socio-economic conditions in Zimbabwe, combined with corruption and mismanagement in South Africa, have made the task of securing this border nearly impossible.

Driving along the border fence, which has not been properly maintained for years, one can observe numerous illegal entry points and well-trodden paths. These serve as a testament to the individuals who have crossed the South African border illegally, some in search of a better life, while others engage in smuggling contraband and other criminal activities.

Recently, the South African government invested millions of rand to upgrade the border fence between the two countries. However, the new fence, often criticized as a "washing line," is already in tatters, and it is difficult to discern what the funds were spent on. Fences are rendered useless if the gates are not kept closed.

The South African government's lack of interest in securing this border has led to an increase in smuggling and illegal immigration. The Beit Bridge border post in the Limpopo province of South Africa has become synonymous with corruption, crime, and general dysfunction. This often results in a backlog of vehicles wanting to cross the borders, choking one of the busiest trade routes in southern Africa. The backlogs also leave truck drivers and their cargo vulnerable to violent crime.

It is evident that this situation creates a magnet for individuals from Zimbabwe to come and sell their wares. When there are 12 kilometers of road full of trucks, it becomes a market. Consequently, people cross over using whichever means necessary to sell to the truckers.