Kingdom of the Zulus

Flag of the Kingdom of the Zulus

Geography

The borders of the kingdom

Population in 2046 is 308,199, with approximately 80% of these being ethnic Zulu and the remainder being people residing in the territory prior to the Zulus' arrival.

The capital town is located at the ruins of the former state capital city, Austin. It is officially names New Ulundi, but is still often referred to as Austin, especially by non-Zulus.

History

The Kingdom of the Zulus became the dominant African people in the area of the old Republic of South Africa after the disaster of 1985. While nuclear strikes were limited to Durban and Capetown, the apartheid government lost control of most of the hinterland of the country to the Zulus and Xhosa peoples. The South African government, locked in a never ending war with Argentina for control of the South Atlantic trade routes, could never muster the manpower to recapture any more than the gold and diamond producing areas, Cape Province, and the coastal strip.

The Zulu Kingdom, reverting to its early heritage and warrior tradition, levied tribute on the surrounding African states and even extorted resources from the Republic of South Africa itself. This period of local domination ended in 2041, when the Zulus were decisively defeated by a coalition of their African enemies and forced to flee to the protection of the now much stronger Republic of South Africa.

Faced with many tens of thousands of refugees, the South Africans established refugee camps along the frontier, but were uncertain what to do with the Zulus. Vice Admiral Charles Harbuck suggested that they be resettled in Texas, to provide a buffer state against the Biker gangs of the region. King Cetwayo V agreed, and in 2041-2042, the UKA Royal Navy transported the bulk of the Zulu people to their new homeland, lock stock, and cattle herd. The Zulus have acclimatized well in their new home, the eastern part of which is very much like their old African homeland in climate.

Texas, except for the narrow strip along the coast from the old Louisiana border to Corpus Christi, which has been under UKA control for a decade, had been left to the less-than-tender mercies of biker gangs and bandits since the collapse of the Fort Hood U.S.A. in the 2020s. By the time the Zulus struck out inland from Corpus Christi in 2041 to conquer their new homeland, the small enclaves of locals were pathetically eager to put themselves under the protection of the numerous, and war-like, if not well armed, Zulus. These communities pay tribute to their Zulu overlords by stockpiling foodstuffs for the use of transiting Zulu troops and maintaining guest houses for traveling Zulu officials.

Government

The Kingdom of the Zulus is the only Class I Commonwealth State with a Royal Governor General.

King Cetwayo V is the current king. The Zulu state is a hereditary monarchy, with the king nominally possessing absolute powers, though in practice, the king delegates much of his authority to a Council of Twenty Elders and to his senior generals.

Economy

The Kingdom of the Zulus effectively has no manufacturing above the handicraft level. Exported products include jerked beef, hides, and finished leather, with some grain from the settled old Texas communities, plus pre-1985 scrap and salvage. With no roads, and no motor vehicles, the Zulus rely on animal-drawn transport, usually oxen, and some horses acquired from the locals, as well as boat and raft along major rivers. Almost all exports are sent via the only significant port at Corpus Christi.

Significant Facilities

The kingdom operates an airfield near Austin for use by the RAF and Royal Dolphin Airlines. In addition, the kingdom maintains a port at Corpus Christi, through which most of its trade is conducted.

There are no significant UKA facilities in Zulu territory.

Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Zulus

Army of the Kingdom of the Zulus

Zulu troops are armed with their traditional native weaponry, the assegai thrusting spear and the knobkerrie war club. One of the kingdom’s five divisions is armed with a wide variety of old bolt action rifles. About fifty percent of the remaining troops are armed with muzzle loading black powder muskets.

Ndebele Division Zulu Impi - 1,097 men