A region involving much of far southern Mozambique, covering most of the modern provinces of Maputo, Gaza, Inhambane, and the southern thirds of Manica province and Sofala province. The Gaza Empire was built by a Bantu leader of the Nguni people, who formed a coalition of various local tribes who were being oppressed by the neighbouring Zulu. He expanded his territory rapidly at the expense of both the Zulu and the Portuguese, leaving a large state which endured for seventy years.