“Social factors were the most significant cause of the rise of the Zulu kingdom.” Discuss.

The question requires candidates to offer a balanced review of the statement. Candidates will consider a range of factors, with an emphasis on the significance of social factors. Candidates may agree, disagree or partially agree with the hypothesis. Candidates may discuss social factors such as the amabutho, the role of the clan system, intermarriages and the rapid increase in population. Additionally, candidates may consider other factors such as the climate in the Drakensburg area which made agriculture possible, Shaka and the Mfecane, the rise of leaders such as Dingiswayo, Zwide and the military strength of the Zulu. Candidates may also discuss the role played by the centralized system of leadership in the rise of the Zulu Kingdom.

This question on social factors as a cause of the rise of the Zulu kingdom was very popular. There were some very strong responses with considerable depth of knowledge and range of causes discussed. Too often however, candidates either ignored or glossed over the demands of the question with respect to social factors and concentrated on other areas. This limited their results. It might be that many candidates were not aware of what was required by the term social factors.