Theme
State formation
Events related to the emergence, consolidation, fragmentation, or reorganisation of historical polities.
Source required before publication.
Events
c. 1670Oral traditions place the founding of the Zulu royal line1693Rozvi forces expel Portuguese influence from parts of the Zimbabwe plateau1775Death of Phalo heightens Gcaleka–Rharhabe tensionsc. 1815Mfecane or Difaqane begins1816Shaka becomes ruler of the Zuluc. 1823–1837Mzilikazi's migration and formation of the Ndebele polity1824Moshoeshoe consolidates at Thaba Bosiu1835–1840The Great TrekNovember 1838Potchefstroom founded16 December 1838Battle of Blood River1840Mpande becomes Zulu kingc. 1840Mfecane or Difaqane subsidesc. 1840–1865Swazi kingdom expands and consolidates under Mswati II1842–1843Siege of Congella and British annexation of Natal17 January 1852Sand River Convention23 February 1854Bloemfontein Convention18 February 1858South African Republic constitution adopted1861–1863Adam Kok III leads the Griqua trek to Nomansland11 October 1899–31 May 1902South African War