Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
CULTURE and history enthusiasts from different walks of life were gathered at Emhlangeni Village in Inyathi, Matabeleland North, on Saturday, as they remembered and celebrated the life of Queen Loziba Thebe, who was the favourite wife of the Ndebele nation’s founding monarch, King Mzilikazi.
The debut of the celebrations, which have been set to be held annually, attracted hundreds of people, including historians, church leaders, the business community, Amabutho lama Tshitshi, members of the community, as well as school children, as they revived the legacy of Queen Loziba.
Held at the Queen’s grave site at a cattle kraal in Kopa, Emhlangeni Village, a place believed to be King Mzilikazi’s first capital before relocating to koMhlahlandlela in Matobo, following Loziba’s death in 1862, the event was a fusion of poetry, music, dance, and a lecture as different speakers took to the podium as they touched on the history of the Queen.
In his opening remarks, elder Vusumuzi Khumalo, who represented the royal family, narrated the history of the Queen as he described her as a great mother to the Ndebele nation.
“Queen Loziba kaPhahlane Thebe was Mzilikazi’s favourite wife, who knew all the King’s secrets. She understood the dreams and the vision of her husband and supported it from the beginning, even in his absence, when many thought he was dead. She was a mother to the Ndebele at a time when the nation was worried about the whereabouts of their King,” said Khumalo.
He explained Loziba’s distinguished negotiation and leadership qualities, as he said Loziba had people at heart to the extent that she defended them from the whites and fought for human rights back in the middle of the 1800s.
“When Cecil John Rhodes arrived here in Inyathi to establish the London Missionary Society, now known as the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), the church seized land from the blacks and made it theirs.
“With good negotiation skills, Queen Loziba managed to negotiate with the church for part of the land to be given to the blacks. The very same land we are standing on today (Emhlangeni village) was given back to the people after Loziba sat down with church leaders. That’s how great a national mother she was,” said Khumalo.
Historian Nkosinamandla Mkhwananzi said Queen Loziba was a distinguished figure who respected the values of the Ndebele nation as she led from the front on women’s issues within the community. He said she is a great example of a woman who respected her husband and got a reward for it.
“King Mzilikazi had many wives whom he loved so much. But in Queen Loziba, he was attracted to loyalty and respect. Her rise to holding a special place in the King’s heart was based on loyalty. She became a senior wife after the execution of Queen Mwaka Nxumalo (mother of Nkulumane) and Fulatha Nxumalo (mother of Lobengula), when they endorsed Nkulumane to be crowned as King while Mzilikazi was still alive.
“From that incident, her treatment was different from everyone else’s. Her burial is the most significant segment in history that proves how powerful she was in the Ndebele nation. Queen Loziba is the only woman who was buried in a cattle kraal (a symbol of power), while other women and even Queens were buried in their kitchen huts,” said Mkhwananzi.
Ashley Siwela, Inyosi (poet), said it is important for the Ndebele people to celebrate their fallen leaders and heroes, for they are the ones who governed the nation. He said celebrating Queen Loziba’s legacy is vital because her story is inspirational to women, especially those in power.
“Queen Loziba can be named amongst great nation builders like her husband, King Mzilikazi, because she played a major role in unifying the nation and her leadership skills and loyalty were tested in the absence of King Mzilikazi. As a mother, she was there to provide solutions to a nation that had unrest and confusion surrounding the whereabouts of the King.
“Her efforts are also seen in trying to unify the Ndebele people and the church, as she negotiated that they live together in harmony. This is one of her stories that needs to be shared out there because even today, a majority of people from the Inyathi area are UCCSA members, thanks to the efforts of Loziba.
“Besides, it’s vital to celebrate her because culturally we believe that Amathonga eZalukazi (old late woman spirits) are close to our ancestors and when we go through them, the gods and the universe are likely to listen and hear our plea,” said Siwela.
Queen Loziba Thebe Development Trust Chairperson Vuyo Mpofu-Nyandeni said they were overwhelmed by the response from the community and other stakeholders, who took part in reviving Queen Loziba’s legacy.
“The idea of reviving the spirit and legacy of Queen Loziba was born when we unveiled her tombstone last year. Our intention was just to restore her neglected grave. But after that ceremony, we realised her story could not end there, so we initiated an annual celebration in her honour.
“As this was our first edition, we are proud to say we were surprised by the turnout as hundreds of people from different walks of life joined us to celebrate the Queen of the nation,” he said.
Nyandeni said as they prepare for next year’s edition, they are looking forward to receiving and hosting more people, as he said such events are essential to be on the nation’s cultural events calendar, as it is a way of preserving our history and heritage.
