Dingiswayo

Dingiswayo (Zulu pronunciation: [diŋɡisʷaːjo]) (c.1780 – 1817) (born Godongwana) was a Mthethwa chief, well known for his mentorship over a young Zulu general, Shaka Zulu, who rose to become the greatest of the Zulu kings. His father was the Mthethwa chief Jobe, and Jobe was the son of Kayi, who may be seen as the founder of the Mthethwa kingdom. It was under Dingiswayo that the Mthethwa rose to prominence, mostly employing diplomacy and assimilation of nearby chiefdoms to strengthen his power base.