Mother of Nthatisi: African Boudicca

In the 19^th Century, in a place that would become South Africa, lived a queen at whose name men trembled.The stories that surrounded her have made her myth as well as legend: rumour had it she was a giantess who could command swarms of wasps – and other such impossibilities. She was the Destroyer of Nations

Her name was Mma Nthatisi. In peace, she judged cases and determined state policy; in war she planned all strategy and commanded in person.

She was born the baSia chief’s daughter. She grew up strong, skilled with the light battle-axe, and intelligent. She married her cousin, Mokotjo, chief of the baTlokwa. When he died at about 27, his son was still too young to rule, and his mother took on the regency, ruling in his name. This was an unusual move for such a yougn widow, especially at the time of the Difeqane/Mfecane wars.

These were caused by a number of factors, including climactic and geographic ones, however tempting it is just to blame Shaka Zulu. A successful leader in this period had to be politically astute as well as strong. Mma Nthatisi rose to the challenge, leading her husband’s people in several successful campaigns, including against her brothers-in-law, who hadn’t wanted her to rule. She was so successful, in fact, that a Hlubi chieftain begged her for asylum and protection in 1818.  After a series of clashes against the superior weaponry and tactics of the Nguni tribes, she moved her people west, invading the region of the baFokeng. Moving south, she clashed with Moshoeshoe, and the baTlokwa defeated the baSotho in the Battle of the Pots, before being defeated by the amaHlubi. Mma Nthatisi turned north, fighting her way towards the Vaal River, defeating several tribes en route and absorbing their arriors into the baTlokwa, ultimately settling in the Caledon Valley, when Sekonyela finally assumed the leadership, although still sharing it with his mother.