Preserving Queen Lozikeyi’s Legacy: A Call for National Recognition

TUCKED deep in Bubi district in the heart of the largely rural Matabeleland North Province, koNkosikazi is a place that resonates with the echoes of history.

Named after King Lobengula’s senior wife, Queen Lozikeyi, an iconic figure in the history of Zimbabwe, revered for her indomitable spirit and staunch resistance to colonial rule, koNkosikazi is a place of profound historical significance.

Some shops in the local business centre are even named after the legendary queen who defied colonial rule and stood as a symbol of resilience and strength.

Queen Lozikeyi was one of the royal family members who settled at koNkosikazi following the epic December 4, 1893, Battle of Pupu during which the Ndebele monarch’s Imbizo Regiment under General Mtshane Khumalo killed settler forces’ commander Major Allan Wilson and his fighters.

Despite their superior weaponry comprising Maxim guns and cannons, Major Wilson and his forces were killed by King Lobengula’s brave warriors.

The grand battle that was fought on the shores of the Shangani River, symbolised the beginning of a protracted resistance against the settler colonial regime.

The name “koNkosikazi” is derived from the Ndebele language and refers to a queen’s place of residence. Born around the mid-19th century, Queen Lozikeyi, whose name translates to “Keeper of the Realm,” was of the Ndebele people from a branch of the larger Nguni ethnic group.

As the wife of King Lobengula, Queen Lozikeyi wielded considerable influence within the royal court. She was not only admired for her beauty, but also respected for her intelligence, courage and leadership qualities.

While Queen Lozikeyi was the senior wife, her role to the Ndebele monarch was spiritual. She never bore the king any children.

A Chronicle news crew on Wednesday visited koNkosikazi. In interviews, locals spoke of Queen Lozikeyi with reverence, recounting tales of her courage, wisdom and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

Each person carries with them a story, a connection to the land and the legacy of Queen Lozikeyi, emphasising the need for her to be recognised at a national level.

Mr Simo Ndlovu (90), said his great-grandfather was among the people who returned from Pupu with Queen Lozikeyi and settled koNkosikazi following the disappearance of King Lobengula.

“Queen Lozikeyi first settled at what is now Siganda Secondary School upon returning from Pupu together with other royal wives,” he said with a soft voice.

“Queen Lozikeyi was a woman of strength. She had a spiritual role in the monarchy and before going to battle she would attend to Amabutho to ensure that they win their battle.”

Mr Ndlovu said Queen Lozikeyi’s influential role was even felt when the Ndebele Kingdom collapsed.

“We urge authorities to consider honouring our liberation stalwart, Queen Lozikeyi by erecting a monument, which would serve as a reminder to generations to come of the role she played in the country’s struggle for independence,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said while Queen Lozikeyi is known beyond the country’s borders, her burial place is not a true reflection of her social standing and the role she played in terms of colonial resistance.

As tensions between King Lobengula’s kingdom and the colonial settlers escalated, Queen Lozikeyi stood as a symbol of defiance and resistance. She vehemently opposed any agreements that threatened the sovereignty and autonomy of her people, notably during the First Chimurenga/Umvukela of 1896-1897 when indigenous people fought against the imposition of land tax and confiscation of property.

Mr Enock Busani Ntini (89), described Queen Lozikeyi as a fearless woman who stood against whites as they tried to arrest locals.

“In some instances, she would even pay taxes for individuals who would have defaulted. Before the whites could access this area, they would consult her and she would intervene where necessary,” said Mr Ntini with his eyes sparkling with pride.

“She may be gone, but her legacy lives on in each one of us. We carry her spirit with us, drawing strength from her example. Queen Lozikeyi remains a very important part of our history and there is a need to preserve knowledge about her, especially for the young ones.”

Mr Ntini said during the Second Chimurenga/Umvukela, Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZPRA) forces would visit her grave to seek spiritual guidance.

He commended the Government for taking a bold step to correct a one-sided narrative of the famous Battle of Pupu, which for many years deliberately overlooked the African perspective.

Under President Mnangagwa, the Second Republic has made an undertaking to correctly portray and promote the country’s rich history and cultural heritage.

The reconstructed Pupu Battlefield Memorial Site in Lupane district was commissioned by President Mnangagwa last month.

“Some of us are now old and this rich history that we carry, if it is not properly documented, will be lost. There should be a deliberate move to honour Queen Lozikeyi for her colonial resistance and her spiritual guidance to the Ndebele State,” said Mr Ntini.

The Chronicle news crew was also taken on a tour of a graveyard where Queen Lozikeyi is buried. The place is located about 2km off the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road.

Queen Lozikeyi is buried together with four other individuals, one of them King Lobengula’s grandson, Dabengwa. Nothing distinctly identifies her grave save for a fence around the graveyard. Her grave has no tombstone.

koNkosikazi village head Mr Moffatt Ndlovu said there are a lot of people who visit Queen Lozikeyi’s grave.

“It is important to fix this graveyard so that even those who come from both local and far-flung places for research purposes can understand its significance,” he said.

“We urge the Government to intervene so that Queen Lozikeyi’s grave finds its rightful place within the country’s history. A lot of people know of her exploits, but the graveyard as it stands does not give a true picture of who she was.”

King Lobengula’s descendant, Dr Peter Zwide Khumalo, buttressed the need to create a monument in recognition of Queen Lozikeyi.

He said even Ndebele praise poetry recognised her military prowess within the Ndebele monarch.

“Babethi nxa bemtema bethi ‘Wena ophosa umkhonto kudabuke isibhakabhaka’ praise poetry mainly associated with men, but was made in her reference,” said Dr Khumalo.

He said while some queens bore princes and princesses, Queen Lozikeyi, was the spiritual guidance within the Ndebele State.

“She led all the military operations within the Ndebele State and after King Lobengula’s disappearance, she became part of rallying points in revolting against the whites in 1896 working closely with one of King Lobengula’s son’s Nyamande,” said Dr Khumalo.

“The Ndebele were highly spiritual people and even to date some still conduct rituals where they communicate with the ancestors. So, it will be important to recognise Queen Lozikeyi for her role within the Ndebele monarchy among other royal members who are also buried in the Bubi area.”

Dr Khumalo said considering that the Ndebele are highly spiritual it makes sense that some guerrillas sought spiritual guidance during the war of liberation as they are said to have visited her grave.

Historian and lawyer Mr Thomas Sibanda said there is a need to immortalise Queen Lozikeyi whom he described as a foremother of the liberation struggle.

“The significance of Queen Lozikeyi emerges following the disappearance of King Lobengula. But you would remember that the queens had a role to play, sort of an advisory role to the King. Queen Lozikeyi played that role and was very influential in the Kingdom,” he said.

“That is why after the disappearance of the King, she became sort of a de facto leader of the Ndebele people.

“She was the central figure in Umvukela wamaNdebele in 1896. Even during the peace negotiation between (Cecil John) Rhodes and Ndebele Chiefs, Queen Lozikeyi played a critical role.”