Shaka -- South Africa
Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also known as Shaka, was 
the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom. He is credited with uniting many of the Northern Nguni people, specifically the Mtetwa Paramountcy and the Ndwandwe into the Zulu Kingdom. He has been called a military genius, whose reforms and innovations, still greatly influences South African culture.
Shaka was the son of the chieftain Senzangakhona and Nandi, a daughter of Bhebhe, the past chief of the Elangeni tribe, born near present day Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal Province in 1787. He served as a warrior under the local chieftain Dingiswayo and the Mthethwa, to whom the Zulu were then paying tribute. Shaka served as a Mthethwa warrior for perhaps as long as ten years, and distinguished himself with his courage, though he did not rise to a great position.
On rare occasions Shaka granted permission to Europeans to enter Zulu territory. Henry Fynn provided medical treatment to the king after an assassination attempt from a rival tribe member.
To show his gratitude, Shaka permitted European settlers to enter and operate in the Zulu kingdom, this act of gratitude would lead to British incursions into the Zulu kingdom that was not so peaceful. On the death of Senzangakona, Dingiswayo aided Shaka to defeat his brother and assume leadership. Shaka began to further refine the "ibutho" system used by Dingiswayo and others, with Mthethwa's support over the next several years, forged alliances with his smaller neighbours, to counter the growing threat from the Ndwandwe.
When Dingiswayo was murdered by Zwide, a powerful chief of the Ndwandwe (Nxumalo) clan, Shaka sought to avenge his death. In 1825 the two great military men would meet, near Phongola, Shaka was victorious in battle, although his forces sustained heavy casualties, which included his head military commander, Umgobhozi Ovela Entabeni. Shaka moved southwards across the Thukela River, establishing his capital Bulawayo in Qwabe territory; he never did move back into the traditional Zulu heartland.
Shaka taught the Zulus that the most effective way of becoming powerful quickly was by conquering and controlling other tribes. His teachings greatly influenced the social outlook of the Zulu people. The Zulu tribe soon developed a "warrior" mindset, which Shaka turned to his advantage. With a mixture of diplomacy and patronage, he incorporated friendly chieftains, including Zihlandlo of the Mkhize, Jobe of the Sithole, and Mathubane of the Thuli. They were never defeated in battle by the Zulu, as Shaka won them over by patronage and reward. Dingiswayo was ambushed by Zwide's amaNdwandwe and killed, indeed the core Zulu had to retreat before several Ndwandwe incursions; as they were the most aggressive grouping in the sub-region.
Shaka formed an alliance with the leaderless Mthethwa clan and was able to establish himself amongst the Qwabe, after Phakathwayo was overthrown. With Qwabe, Hlubi and Mkhize support, Shaka was finally able to summon a force capable of resisting the Ndwandwe (of the Nxumalo clan). Shaka's first major battle against Zwide, of the Ndwandwe, was the Battle of Gqokli Hill, on the Mfolozi river, Shaka's troops maintained a strong position on the crest of the hill. A frontal assault by their opponents failed to dislodge them and Shaka sealed the victory by sending elephants in a sweep around the hill to attack the enemy's rear. Losses were high overall but the efficacy of the new innovations was proved. Another decisive fight took place on the Mhlatuze river, at the confluence with the Mvuzane stream, in a two-day running battle, the Zulu inflicted a resounding defeat on their opponents. Shaka then led a fresh reserve some seventy miles and destroyed the royal kraal of Zwide, ruler of the Ndwandwe. Zwide escaped with a handful of followers before falling foul of Mjanji, ruler of the baPedi clan.
Shaka had made enough enemies among his people to hasten his demise, It came relatively quickly after the devastation caused by Shaka's erratic behaviour following the death of his mother Nandi. In September 1828 the Zulu King was killed by three assassins, when almost all available warriors had been sent on another mass sweep to the north. This left the royal kraal short of security. The conspirators were, Dingane and Mhlangana, Shaka's half-brothers, and an iNduna called Mbopa. A diversion was created by Mbopa and Dingane, leaving Mhlangana to strike the fatal blows. Shaka's corpse was dumped into an empty grain pit by his assassins then filled with stones and mud. The exact site is unknown, although a monument was built at one alleged site somewhere on Couper Street in the village of Stanger, South Africa.
Shaka's half-brother Dingane assumed power and embarked on an extensive purge of pro-Shaka elements and chieftains, running over several years, in order to secure his position. Dingane ruled for some twelve years, during which time he fought disastrously, against the Voortrekkers, and against another half-brother Mpande, who with Boer and British support, took over the Zulu leadership in 1840, and ruled for some 30 years. Later in the 19th century the Zulus would be one of the few African peoples who managed to defeat the British Army; at the Battle of Isandlwana.
Shaka had drilled his troops frequently, carrying out encirclement tactics, forced marches sometimes covering more than 50 miles (80 km) a day in a fast trot over hot, rocky terrain. Shaka's military innovations such as the "iklwa," the "buffalo horns", the age-grade regimental system and encirclement tactics helped make the Zulu kingdom the greatest power in southern Africa, even against Britain's modern army with breech-loading rifles and artillery. Commentators called him Shaka, the Black Napoleon, and allowing for different societies and customs, the comparison is apt. Shaka is without doubt one of the greatest commanders to come out of Africa. The British and the Boers had been reluctant to challenge the Zulu Kingdom During Shaka's rein, however, they would wait for the Kingdom to become significantly weakened.
The King Shaka International Airport at La Mercy, 35 km north of the Durban city centre was opened on 1 May 2010. Shaka Marine World, an aquatic theme park in Durban opened in 2004