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Shaka Zulu

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World Leader

The Resume

    (1787-September 23, 1828)
    Born an illegitimate heir of a Zulu chief and a woman of the lower class (1787)
    Joined the Zulu military and began innovating the tactics of African warfare (1803)
    Marched into Zulu territory and assumed the throne after his fathers death (1816)
    Expanded the Zulu Empire from a small realm of influence in the area which is now Zimbabwe, all the way to the Cape Colony in the south and to modern Tanzania in the north
    Leading figure in South African history
    Atheist

Why he might be annoying:

    The name Shaka itself translates to 'intestinal parasite' or 'bastard.'
    He was ruthlessly ambitious in his bid for power, murdering his half brother during his crowning ceremony and taking over the crown for himself.
    He used English ivory traders as his subjects, even forcing them into battle, feeling he was superior to them.
    He enforced chastity within his soldiers.
    He was a mama's boy, and after his mother (Nandi) died, he went into a killing rampage.
    He was known to execute people for 'smelling like a witch' and committed mass executions of entire villages, creating terror within his subjects.
    He killed anyone who he felt was not appropriately saddened by his mother's death, and had most mothers within his empire executed. He even went as far as to execute the mothers of baby cows, so they would know how it felt to lose their mother.
    He ordered all milk and food to be dumped on the ground during this period of mourning, practically starving his people.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The critically acclaimed 1983 miniseries, 'Shaka Zulu' was based on his life and death.
    He was highly intelligent.
    He grew up detached from most of his tribe, other than his immediate family, due to his illegitimate birth.
    He was teased and treated cruelly by most of the tribe.
    He reformed an insignificant and largely unknown tribe in Southern Africa into the largest and most influential tribe in African history.
    His military strategy was unprecedented.
    In the peak of his military power, he was even feared by Great Britain and considered one of the most powerful military forces in the world during that time period.
    He largely denied the practice of religion, basically telling his people not to be afraid of nonsense witchcraft.
    His Zulu nation lasted well over 50 years after his death, but it was never as powerful as when he was in control.
    He was murdered violently by his half brother and half sister, being stabbed in the back (literally) and buried in an unmarked grave.
    He ranks with Julius Caesar and Napoleon as one of the greatest leaders in history.

Credit: Captain Howdy


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 215 Votes: 26.51% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 11 Votes: 9.09% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 18 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 33 Votes: 51.52% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 36 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 24 Votes: 54.17% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 28 Votes: 60.71% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 19 Votes: 68.42% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 55 Votes: 67.27% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 46 Votes: 67.39% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 63.89% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 76 Votes: 56.58% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 130 Votes: 50.77% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 247 Votes: 61.13% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 287 Votes: 57.49% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 312 Votes: 50.96% Annoying