As a man I never cease to be amazed by sheer power of a woman. It is my strong conviction that a woman has been created ten times more powerful than a man. Wisdom of the sages has it that it is for a reason. No wonder it is natural for a woman to transform whatever vision her man has regardless of the size, into a marvel. She was created a HELPER. In military ideals it is a homespun lore that you seek HELP from a superior ally to prevail against a formidable foe. Give a woman a seed she can incubate and multiple it for you. While there are exceptions, when you love and honors your Queen you will live like a King. When you share you vision for the family with her, you can build a lasting legacy even if your life is shortlived. But sow seeds of abuse and dishonour, my man you will have injected your life with chronic dis eases that will haunt you to the grave. Expect a bumper harvest of thorns. Women will forever be king makers and king slayers. Those who have been watching one the best productions in the world, Shaka Ilembe Series, can attest to this truism. In this women’s month, I am honouring and celebrating our melanin Afrikan princesses in style. Here is my historical love epistle to every one of you, reminding you of how great you and your forebears are. Afrika undoubtedly reverences its women.
A mother is a goddess Afrika! Even in its widespread cultures like amalobolo, the price of the Mother’s cow is non-negotiable. Very telling right! Isn’t it an uncontested biological fact that all of human beings on planet earth trace their origin to an Afrikan mother!! Not only are you an embodiment of beauty and intelligence, but across centuries have been at the centre of our collective progress as a people. It is only befitting that I traverse with you through the awe striking, majestic terrains of the Motherland, the incredible watering holes where our diverse indigenous wild species of interest gather and part ways since the beginning of times. From the misty hills and valleys of Mzansi to the scenic heights of Kilimanjaro and to seemingly endless oceans of shifting sands of Sahara. All in search of such movers and shakers whose names will forever be imprinted the hall of Alkebulan fame.
The likes of Mkabayi kaJama, Nandi kaBhebhe, MaMdluli Labotsibeni Gwamile, Mbuya Nehanda Nyakasikana, Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, Dahomey Agojie Warriors, Queen Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Taytu Betul Empress of Ethiopia, Winfred Madikizela Mandela. It is these legends whose fascinating stories must find themselves in the mental libraries of women of this generation and beyond. Imagine if every girl child’s mind is tattooed with this rich history. With such hypersonic missiles of empowerment can you envision what Afrika’s future can become! In this August series will look at the women of significance through the lens of some power historical facts about them. We will also reflect the characters to ascertain the calibre of women they represent. As a contemporary Queen I am hoping you will find some of their traits that resonates with you. Claim your place.
Queen Regent MaMdluli Labotsibeni Gwamile, born around 1859 in Luhlekweni in the northern part of the beautiful land of the kingdom of Eswatini. Properly raised in the royal court of her uncle Chief Mvelasi.
Power Fact 1: Serving Royalty
She was one of the many wives of Ingwenyama Mbandzeni Dlamini, who faithfully served her mother-in-law, eSwatini Queen Regent and Indlovukati Tibati Madvolomafisha Nkambule. A mother of four children namely Bhunu, Malunge, and Lomvazi, and a daughter, Tongotongo.
Power Fact 2: Preserving eSwatini
In the whole of the continent eSwatini and Ethiopia remained the only two kingdoms that were never colonised. MaMdluli managed to preserve the nation from Boer and British colonial takeover during the Scramble for Africa without any war. She bought back the land that apparently her husband had been tricked into giving away as concessions to the Robert Coryndon, the resident commissioner who tried to remove MaMdluli at the time described Labotsibeni as a woman of extraordinary diplomatic ability and strength of character, an experienced and capable opposition with which it [the administration] was for some time incapable of dealing’ In 1925 when she passed on, in an obituary The Times noted that she had for two generations been ‘the best known native woman in South Africa’. T. D. Mweli Skota’s African Yearly Register noted that ‘she was a wonderful woman; a good, wise and tactful ruler, and acknowledged by all the representatives of the British Throne as one of the cleverest rulers in Africa’.
Power Fact 3: Critical role in formation and growth of ANC
MaMdluli and crown prince Sobhuza, who became King Sobhuza II in 1921 were in the founding structures of one of the most formidable organisations on the continent. They financed the Abantu Batho newspaper, a mouthpiece of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) later renamed African National Congress (ANC). ANC in its formative years was responsible for lighting the fire of anti-colonialism from the south tip of the continent. Notable leaders like ‘Father Zimbabwe’ Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo who formed Southern Rhodesia African National Congress (SRANC), his first secretary Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Victoria Mahamba Sithole and her husband ZANU PF Chairman Herbert Chitepo, were all political cadres of ANC responsible for bringing freedom to what we now know as Zimba remabwe (Zimbabwe). What a phenomenal woman!!
MaMdluli’s Calibre of Woman
Mama was indeed all things woman. LaMvelase was a faithful, diligent hardworking daughter to her uncle, served two powerful Queens from her in-laws. She earned her right to be a leader through excelling in discharging her assigned responsibilities during mentorship. She never rode the high horse of privilege but was humble to put her head down investing in skills and learning. A very wise mother who handled her son’s delinquencies that would have jeopardised the kingdom well. MaMdluli was powerful loyal wife whose husband and in-laws entrusted her with legacy of the family and she delivered beyond reasonable doubt. Hers was a labour of love as she corrected a lot of her husband mistakes without pointing fingers or exposing his flaws to the public. She was indeed a spiritual giant with rain-making powers meaning her other name would have been “Nomvula” who called forth sustaining rain to eSwatini for many generations to come. It is unbelievable how she could balance the sheer amount of work on her table, be a mother, a wife in a polygamous marriage, a troubled nation’s leader and an international diplomat in the most perilous epoch in Afrika’s history.
She is a solid proof that western miseducation is no guarantee to leave a legacy. Without it she remains was a visionary who used her unparallel diplomatic and leadership abilities to understand the political landscape of the time and outmanoeuvred the cunning colonialists. Bayede!
