In the early nineteenth century, major social and political transformations occurred in southern Africa, which became known as Mfecane. The period has been characterized by historian Elizabeth Eldredge as a time of “tremendous demographic upheaval and revolutionary and social change.” The Mfecane period was characterized by extensive migrations, random raids, battles, and recurring periods of hardship and scarcity for many of the region's indigenous people. The Mfecane has over the years become a highly debatable topic among historians, who have considered the causes that led to mass migration, its importance in the more current history of Africa and whether it also warrants an account of the unfolding history development of South Africa. Unfortunately, due to the lack of first-hand evidence, the Mfecane is still considered a developing story, but as time goes by, new sources are discovered. Most historians believe and agree that the social upheaval of the Mfecane came from the expansion of the Zulu kingdom, which conquered the nearby competition of the Ndwandwe. In doing so, they were able to prepare the ground for the first modern African state. However, historians are questioning the reasons behind the expansion of the Zulu kingdom. There have been four theories held by various historians about the causes and history of the Mfecane movement in South Africa. The first theory presented about Mfecane was written by historian George McCall Theal. He believed that Africans naturally waged "barbarous tribal wars" until the arrival of whites, who "pacified" the interior, occupied "free lands," and established civilized government. Second theory developed on the Mfecane by historians JD Omer-Cooper and JB Peires, loo...... half of the document ......history of South Africa', African Affairs (1916)Cobbing ,Julian 'The Mfecane as Alibi ; Thoughts on Dithakong and Mbolompo', The Journal of African History (1988) Hamilton, CA “The Character and Objects of Chaka': A Reconsideration of the Making of Shaka as the Mover “Mfecane”, The Journal of African History, Vol. 33, no. 1 (1992) Lye, W. The Difiqana: The Mfecane in the southern Sotho area, 1822-24. Cambridge University Press (1967) Ngcongco, L. D. The Mfecane and the rise of new African states. General History of Africa (1989). Omer-Cooper, JD 'Does Mfecane have a future? A response to Cobbing's criticism. Taylor and Francis Ltd. (1993) Peires, J.B. Paradigm eliminated: the materialist interpretation of the Mfecane. Taylor and Francis, Ltd. (1993) Wright, J. 'Political mythology and the making of Mfecane of Natal. Canadian Association of African Studies (1989).