Status Updates From An African History of Afric...

Kwame Nkrumah's reputation was later redeemed, as I could judge on seeing the impressive marble mausoleum where his remains lie in downtown Accra. Erected in the early 1990s, the memorial is in a peaceful location, surrounded by water and fountains in five acres of park. It stands on the very spot where Nkrumah made his declaration of independence.

Somalia fell to the British and Italians, with the bulk of the country coming under Italian rule and the British controlling the northwest.

Burundi also has a Hutu majority population and gained its independence from Belgium in 1962. It has witnessed similar atrocities such as the mass killings of Tutsis in 1993, and human rights abuses continue today.

Shaka established his capital KwaDukuza about 80 kilometres north of Durban. In the Zulu language this means 'place of the lost person'. From there he ruled for several years.

Mzilikazi is widely regarded as the second greatest Nguni fighter and leader after King Shaka. He had defied Shaka and refused to be cowed, telling him: 'I will create my own nation.' Exceptionally, Shaka allowed him to retain his title and keep his own armed forces.

The Zulus, with their military renown, are among the most famous of Africa's ethnic groups and South Africa's biggest. They are a subgroup of the Nguni people, who include the Thembu, whose most illustrious son is Nelson Mandela.