South Africa's Women's Month is August. I decided to take a moment and reflect on some inspiring stories of women the Zulu Nation has been blessed with - women who were strong, made their decisions, and followed them. I wanted to learn about their heroic acts and struggles as well as the role they played in the creation of the Zulu Kingdom. Retelling the early sacrifices of women is important and now is the best time to do so.
I wanted to tell the story of Ingcugce. This was a young regiment of females that, after King Cetshwayo ordered troops to marry with the Indlondlo (a regiment made up of much older men), rebelled against the order. The Zulu phrase "Ucualulingani Enanyeni" loosely translated means "the love necklace doesn't fit around the neck." The women managed to escape but many were captured and killed.
This was a story about young women's bravery in refusing to be rewarded by the older male regiment for their post-military service. They even risked their lives.
The story of Queen Christina Sibiya (first wife of Zulu King Solomon) was also told. She was subject to abuse and was dissatisfied in the royal household in 1931. This was at a time when divorce was not an option for the Zulu nation. Rebecca Hourwich Reyherin captured Christina's story in her book, Zulu Woman.
These courageous acts dispel the myth that Zulu women are too submissive and refuse to challenge the status-quo.
It occurred to me that Queen Nandi, the mother of the Great Kings Shaka, was a story I should investigate. Nandi, the sweet one, was born to an Inkosi from eLangeni – Bhebhe. Also known as Mdingi in the Mhlongo clan, She was born in 1760. The most popular year is 1766.
One aspect that I wanted to highlight, and which is often overlooked, was her role as one of the greatest single parents ever to have lived, was that she was a great mother. She was constantly faced with rejection, humiliation and animosity but she raised Shaka (her son) the best she could. She taught him to never give up and to have faith in his fate. She taught her son to believe in unity and the idea of "We are all the same." Nandi dedicated her entire life to her son and siblings. She protected them as best she could, sought refuge and found him mentors in Ngomane and Dingiswayo.
After Nandi and Senzangakhona had engaged in a previous act of ukuhlobonga/ukusoma, or sex without any penetration, which was allowed to unmarried couples at that time. Also known as the "fun of the roads" (amahlaya enlela) Needless to say, Nandi and Senzakhona went beyond ukuhlobonga, resulting in Nandi's pregnancy.
The eLangeni people informed Senzangakhona that Nandi was pregnant. However, Mudli Zulu, a senior Senzangakhona relative, replied that Nandi was suffering from a stomach ailment due to the iShaka, an intestinal beetle that was often blamed for irregular menstrual cycles.
Nandi named the Zulu prince Shaka to be spite Senzangakhona. Senzangakhona reminded Nandi that she had earlier said that she wasn't pregnant but was suffering from ishaka. Nandi would refer to Shaka intimately as her umlilwana, a little blazing fire.
Nandi was subject to great humiliation, rejection and disgracement from that moment on. The eLangeni women and praise-poets/singers didn't waste any time degrading Nandi, as shown in this line from her praise poem:
"USontanti Omathanga kahlangani ahlangani ngokubona Umyeni" - This is the Floater. Her thighs are not pressed together except when she sees a man. This was because she failed to practice "Ukuhlobonga", which resulted in the birth an unborn son. They were insulting and hurtful, no matter how wrong they might have been.
Nandi was never discouraged by life. She never gave up; she was strong and resilient. These values were passed on to her son and he became one of the most influential leaders in our history. Nandi reminded her son every day that he would be the greatest king one day, regardless of his circumstances.
She tried her best, despite the many obstacles she faced along the way.
how did queen nandi die
Nandi had to sometimes be without food for Shaka and Nomcoba during the 1802 food shortage. This was a time when people weren't prepared to share food due to its scarcity. To seek help in other places, she travelled long distances by foot. This enabled her to provide for her family.
Nandi would also have a lot of influence on the affairs of the kingdom under King Shaka. Shaka appointed her and other women to the military kraals, giving them power to govern during his campaign. Nandi, who was believed to be a force for moderation in Shaka’s life, suggested various political compromises to Shaka rather than encouraging violence. The kingdom grew rapidly because of Nandi standing beside Shaka for a brief period of 12 years despite the proclamation of Nomgabhi's wives and others who said that Shaka would never reign ---he wouldn't be the king.
Because of their strength and resilience, it is understandable that King Shaka held women high in his heart. Nandi was his mother. He also had deep respect for his aunts, the princesses Mkabayi and Mmama. The "IsililoSikaNandi" period, also known as "mourning at Queen Nandi", is the declaration of the longest period of mourning (where people who show insufficient grief were executed), regardless of how cruel the event.
Nandi, a woman is more than just giving birth and raising children. She is important not only because she gave birth the great leader Shaka but also because of her strength and resilience and setting an example for millions of women to not settle for less.
Queen Nandi Bhebhe was born in Melmoth in 1760. Her father was Bhebhe a chief from Elangeni. The Elangeni (Mhlongo) people then had their king called Makhedama.
Nandi Bhebhe was impregnated out of wedlock by Jama's son, Senzangakhona. The Mhlongo people demanded Senzangakhona pay damages for his non-traditional act.
The Mhlongo approached the Jamas to settle the matter. Nandi was on the fore-front of this case and discussion. She personally demanded 55 herd of cattle as payment for damages done to her and the herd was delivered to the Mhlongo people.
Queen Nandi: A remarkable woman
The Jamas and Senzangakhona agreed to pay the damages demanded by Mhlongo people so as to avoid war. On the other hand, Senzangakhona did truly love Nandi. After Nandi gave birth to her son, Shaka, she initially spent some time at Senzangakhona's kraal before her relationship with Senzangakhona deteriorated, forcing her to leave the kraal.
Nandi returned to her people, the Mhlongo of Elangeni, leaving Shaka behind. Shaka's life at Senzangakhona's kraal proved dangerous and finally his uncle Mudli brought him to Nandi at Elangeni.
[1] During that time Nandi had to protect her son from famine, assassination attempts, and enemies. However, Nandi's stay at Elangeni proved dangerous as well, so she left with her son to live amongst the Qwabe people. There, she met Gendeyana, whom she married and had a son, Ngwadi. Nandi's stay amongst the Qwabe people was not pleasant at all and this forced her to leave Qwabe to live amongst the Mthethwa people led by chief Dingiswayo.
Nandi was warmly welcomed by the Mthethwa people. She found it a good place to raise her sons, Shaka and Ngwadi, and her daughter, Nomcoba. Her son Shaka joined a Chwe regiment led by Bhuza.
It was amongst the Mthethwa people where Shaka devised military tactics.
Nandi (c. 1760 – October 10, 1827) was a daughter of Bhebhe, a past chief of the Langeni nation and the mother of the famous Shaka, King of the Zulus.
Queen Nandi Biography
Queen Nandi (mother of Shaka)
Nandi Bhebhe
Born c. 1760 Melmoth, South Africa
Died October 10, 1827
Nationality Zulu
Partner(s) Senzangakhona kaJama Gendeyana
