Mpande

Mpande kaSenzangakhona
King of Zulu Kingdom
An 1849 portrait of King Mpande by George French Angas
Reign1840–1872
Coronation1840
PredecessorDingane
SuccessorCetshwayo
Bornc. 1798
Died18 October 1872 (aged 73-74)
Zululand
Burial
Nodwengu
28°17′54″S 31°25′34″E / 28.29833°S 31.42611°E / -28.29833; 31.42611 (Nodwengu)
Spouseseveral wives (including Ngqumbazi, Monase, Nomantshali)
IssueCetshwayo, Dabulamanzi kaMpande, Mbuyazi and many others
FatherSenzangakhona kaJama
MotherSongiya kaNgotsha Hlabisa

Mpande kaSenzangakhona (c. 1798–18 October 1872) was monarch of the Zulu Kingdom from 1840 to 1872. He was a half-brother of Sigujana, Shaka and Dingane, who preceded him as Zulu kings. He came to power after he had overthrown Dingane in 1840.

His reign was relatively lengthy at 32 years, but for the latter part of his reign, he was king in name only. His son Cetshwayo became de facto ruler in 1856. Mpande himself claimed that he preferred a quiet life and that he had been forced to become king.