UShaka kaSenzangakhona is one of the earliest Zulu-language novels and is based on the real life of King Shaka Zulu, the founder of the Zulu nation. Written by R.R.R. Dhlomo, the novel blends oral history with written storytelling, preserving Zulu perspectives that were often ignored in colonial literature.

The novel portrays Shaka not only as a powerful military leader but as a deeply human figure shaped by rejection, hardship, and destiny. Dhlomo presents Zulu culture through everyday practices — respect for elders, loyalty to the king, ancestral belief (amadlozi), and the importance of clan identity. Warfare, leadership, and discipline are shown as necessary tools for survival in a harsh historical period.

What makes the novel significant is its Zulu-centered voice. Instead of portraying Shaka as a tyrant, as many Western accounts did, Dhlomo explains his actions within Zulu values and social structures. The story reflects real historical struggles faced by the Zulu people during the early 19th century, making it both a cultural record and a literary achievement.