Photography by Sajulu Media
Born Nandi kaBhebhe of the eLangeni tribe in the 1760’s, a young Princess whose father was a Chief. The mother of Shaka, a son who would later become a King and one of the greatest military leaders in the history of Africa.
Queen Nandi was known for her beauty, courage and confidence. She met Chief Senzangakhona kaJama and fell pregnant with his child. At the time, Senzangakhona already had two wives who had not yet bore him an heir. Her pregnancy was received with shame, it was considered a disgrace to her family because it was out of wedlock. When she informed the elders they refuted her claims, stating that she had been infected by the ishaka beetle – an infection associated with stomach bloating. In the years to follow, Queen Nandi would be subjected to great humiliation and rejection because she had conceived out of wedlock.
Photography by Sajulu Media
It is reported that she was given the title of third wife but without the customary rituals that would originally have taken place for a Zulu marriage. She bore Senzangakhona a second child (Nomcoba) but life in the Zulu homestead was not pleasant and safe for them. They were soon driven out due to the persisting ridicule and unsafe environment. During this time of seeking safety, Shaka himself was subjected to humiliation and bullying by older boys, who referred to him as, “the fatherless one”.
Queen Nandi landed in the hands Gendeyana who married her and they had a son (Ngwadi). Even then, any form of comfort was short lived and after a lifetime of relocating, Nandi and her children found refuge with the Mthethwa clan (led by Dingiswayo) where Shaka learnt and devised military tactics. Despite being abondoned during pregnancy, humiliated and her young life filled with sorrow, Queen Nandi remained steadfast and confident in her son’s destiny.
When Senzangakhona passed, Shaka became the iNkosi of the Zulu clan. He appointed Queen Nandi, Mkabi (Senzangakhona’s chief wife), Mkabayi (Senzangakhona’s sister) and Nomcoba as the reigning queens and princesses of his military homesteads. It is well known that Queen Nandi was a force of moderation and exercised a great deal of influence over the affairs of the Zulu monarchy.
Photography by Sajulu Media
For the woman of today, Queen Nandi remains a symbol of pride and the ability to stand up for yourself. A single mother who suffered distress due to the rejection of society, yet still managed to instill greatness in her son. Not only is this the story of Queen Nandi, but the story of many mothers in the present day who move mountains to single-handedly raise and motivate their children to discover their greatness.
In the month of uMfufu (October) which marks her passing, we continue to celebrate the legacy of Queen Nandi as mother, nurturer and builder. On the journey to create a society where a woman’s worth is not measured by her strength and ability to tolerate adversity, we embrace those that came before us who showed us that our purpose is far greater than any form of rejection by society.
Bayede Ndlovukazi!
Reference
Shamase, Z.M. (2014), Inkanyiso: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, The royal women of the Zulu monarchy through the keyhole of oral history:
Queens Nandi (c. 1764 – c.1827) and Monase (c. 1797 – 1880), pg 2-5