Zulu Warfare

King Shaka made the Zulu Nation into a mighty war machine. The military inventions included such as the shield and iklwa the Zulu thrusting spear a “lance”. Similar to the gladius and scutum used by Roman legions and battle tactics as noteworthy the "buffalo horns" formation, essentially the same battle plan used independently on distant battlefields.

Weapons

A long throwing spear (javelin) was replaced by a short sturdy shaft and long broad bladed
spear for close quarter combat. These were trained in tactics such as a technique of hooking an enemy shield from the left with yours to expose the opponent's body.

The rawhide shield was made larger, the cumbersome clumsy ox-hide sandals were dispensed with his impis were all barefoot, faster, quicker, agile. Of course it had to depend on the terrain.

Battle Tactics

Shaka developed and practised a very successful battle plan employing the "Bull Horn" formation. The object was to terrify and annihilate the enemy army.

Regiments were divided into the chest, horns and a reserve force the loins. The main force the strongest termed the “chest” clashed the enemy head on to hold him down while the “horns” raced out from both sides encircling and attacking the enemy from the sides and rear. As reserve the “loins” were waiting nearby to be sent wherever enemy warriors threatened to break out of the encirclement and could be sent to reinforce any part of the ring.

The army was commanded by indunas who used hand signals to direct the orders.

Mobility

Shaka drilled his troops frequently in forced marches it is said they could cover more than 80km a day at brisk pace. His impis were regularly and thoroughly exercised in battle tactics.

Discipline

Discipline in his army was on the spot and merciless, any weakness or disobedience not tolerated. The ruthless march of his impi was forced by instilling fear in his warriors for deserters the families murdered brutally.

When Shaka defeated a tribe the remnants of  young men were taken up in his army so that they might help to conquer further on the war path, keeping them subjected to iron discipline.

Conclusion

With Shaka's assassination in 1828 the Zulu kingdom was the greatest power in Southern Africa with unequalled military force, in the end defeated only by the British army with far superior weapons. Shaka is the greatest general to have come from Africa.