Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE Queen Loziba Thebe Development Trust, custodians of the history of the Ndebele nation’s Queen Loziba, have raised concerns over a widespread misconception in which many people continue to conflate Queens Loziba and Lozikeyi as the same individual, despite their distinct identities.
These sentiments were echoed by one of Queen Loziba’s great-great-great-granddaughters, Nombuyiselo Nontuthuzelo Thebe, who attended the Queen Loziba Day celebrations held at Emhlangeni Village in Inyathi, Matabeleland North, on Saturday.
“What I appreciate most about the Queen Loziba Day celebrations is that they helped correct misconceptions that could have distorted our history. We used to regard Loziba and Lozikeyi as one person, but various speakers clarified that these Queens were different in many respects.
“Beyond commemorations, more must be done to ensure Loziba’s history is taught and recognised, just as Lozikeyi’s is, as both played pivotal roles in unifying the Ndebele nation,” said Thebe.
To clarify the differences, the Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub compiled key facts, similarities and distinctions between the two Queens. Queen Loziba Thebe ka Phahlana lived during the formative years of the Ndebele nation and was the senior wife of King Mzilikazi, the kingdom’s founder, who reigned from the 1820s until his death in 1868. In contrast, Queen Lozikeyi was the senior wife and confidante of King Lobengula, Mzilikazi’s successor, who ruled from 1870 to 1894.
As Mzilikazi’s favoured wife, Loziba exercised influence discreetly behind the scenes, promoting peace and supporting missionary work. She played a key role in establishing Inyathi, the kingdom’s first Christian mission, founded by the London Missionary Society, now known as the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA).
Conversely, Lozikeyi was a public figure and a military strategist, becoming the de facto regent following King Lobengula’s disappearance in 1894. She helped lead resistance against colonial settlers during the 1896 Anglo-Matabele War (Imfazo) and remained a symbol of anti-colonial defiance throughout her life.
Queen Loziba is believed to have had at least one daughter, Lobitshi, while Queen Lozikeyi had a surrogate daughter, Princess Sidambe, through her sister Mamfimfi, a culturally accepted practice known as inhlanzi.
Their approaches to settlers differed: Loziba welcomed co-operation with missionaries, whereas Lozikeyi resisted the British South Africa Company and negotiated ceasefires on her own terms.
Historian, Arnold Nkala, notes that loyalty to their husbands was a shared trait between the two Queens.
“Loziba was loyal to Mzilikazi, rising to senior wife after Queen Mwaka Nxumalo and Fulatha Nxumalo endorsed Nkulumane. Similarly, Lozikeyi was deeply loyal to Lobengula, acting as the principal of his household due to her spiritual strength and trustworthiness,” said Nkala.
The stories of Loziba and Lozikeyi highlight the power of women in leadership and decision-making, making them both inspiring figures in Ndebele history.
