King Shaka's
Heritage Route
aka Execution Cliff along the Mavivane river near Thatha's Farm (Mafuta's Heritage Park)
aka Execution Cliff along the Mavivane river near Thatha's Farm (Mafuta's Heritage Park)
King Shaka Zulu
Names: Zulu, King Shaka
Born: ca. 1787
Died: 24 September 1828, Stanger, Natal
In summary: King of the Zulus.
Shaka was a great Zulu king and conqueror. He lived in an area of south-east Africa between the Drakensberg and the Indian Ocean, a region populated by many independent Nguni chiefdoms.
Mavivane Execution Cliff
This means the 'Place of Shivering'. According to legend Shaka used it as an execution cliff. The cliff is on the outskirts of Stanger, and can be found by going up Cato Street, over a bridge towards the cemetery, turning left alongside the cemetery the execution cliff can be found at the end of the road near Thatha's Farm (Mafuta's Heritage Park).
Mbozambo Valley
This area is known as 'Shaka's Playground. Shaka used to bathe, relax and get his drinking water from an underground spring in this valley. This can be found on the outskirts of Stanger, beyond the Shakaville Township.
Observation Rock
According to legend Shaka used to sit on this rock to watch his impis from his 3 military camps train. The rock has been declared a National Monument and can be seen in the Groutvilie area. To view, take the old main road R102 out of Stanger and turn into the road past the Groutville School, then turn right up a hill to a field and follow a foot path to the rock.
High Rock
According to legend this was a place of execution of many of Shaka's enemies, also many of his warriors were required to prove their courage by leaping from the rock into the sea. High Rock is in the Shakas Rock area on to seashore off Rock Lane. Follow the footpath to the sea shore.
Memorial Complex
Shakas two half brothers, Dingane and Mhlangana and his body servant Mbopa assassinated king Shaka on the 22 September 1828. A memorial stone was erected over Shakas grave in 1932 by the Zulu nation and was declared a national monument on the 29 June 1938. At the gardens an interpretive centre has been opened.
