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QUEEN NYAMAZANA DLAMINI 
Leader of the Swazi group that broke away from her uncle, King Zwangendaba Jele!
She killed the last Mambo and conquered the Mighty Rozvi State!
Women have been doing the most for the longest!
[Pictures are NOT of her
]
![QUEEN NYAMAZANA DLAMINI Leader of the Swazi group that broke away from her uncle, King Zwangendaba Jele!She killed the last Mambo and conquered the Mighty Rozvi State!Women have been doing the most for the longest! [Pictures are NOT of her ]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4ZIvXYAEebMX.jpg "QUEEN NYAMAZANA DLAMINI Leader of the Swazi group that broke away from her uncle, King Zwangendaba Jele!She killed the last Mambo and conquered the Mighty Rozvi State!Women have been doing the most for the longest! [Pictures are NOT of her ]")
Leader of the Swazi group that broke away from her uncle, King Zwangendaba Jele!
She killed the last Mambo and conquered the Mighty Rozvi State!
Women have been doing the most for the longest!
[Pictures are NOT of her
]
NAME MEANING
Nyamazana - The Animal
Although I prefer saying "The Beast!" because she was a fierce warrior and a graceful queen.
Someone wrote that it meant "an antelope"
Nyamazana - The Animal
Although I prefer saying "The Beast!" because she was a fierce warrior and a graceful queen.
Someone wrote that it meant "an antelope"
Remember the Rozvi/Lozwi in the last story? Yes! They were ruling present-day Zimbabwe
The Mamboâs palace was in Manyanga Hills/Intaba zikaMambo near Inyathi Mission
They were no longer the MIGHTY Rozvi. They were weakened by internal disputes, wars and most had migrated East
The Mamboâs palace was in Manyanga Hills/Intaba zikaMambo near Inyathi Mission
They were no longer the MIGHTY Rozvi. They were weakened by internal disputes, wars and most had migrated East
One day, a small group of Swazi people led by Queen Nyamazana Dlamini arrived at the Mamboâs Hill
Warriors led by a Woman! [Just to highlight that
]
They were ready to fight
Back then it was survival of the strongest
Two Kings couldn't exist at the same time so one had to go
![One day, a small group of Swazi people led by Queen Nyamazana Dlamini arrived at the Mamboâs HillWarriors led by a Woman! [Just to highlight that]They were ready to fightBack then it was survival of the strongestTwo Kings couldn't exist at the same time so one had to go](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4aJLXkAAl8Yx.jpg "One day, a small group of Swazi people led by Queen Nyamazana Dlamini arrived at the Mamboâs HillWarriors led by a Woman! [Just to highlight that]They were ready to fightBack then it was survival of the strongestTwo Kings couldn't exist at the same time so one had to go")
Warriors led by a Woman! [Just to highlight that
]They were ready to fight
Back then it was survival of the strongest
Two Kings couldn't exist at the same time so one had to go
So the Swazis stood at the foot of the hill and called out, âMambo! Are you there? Come down letâs fight!â
But Mambo being the King he was, wasnât about to leave his throne to go and address peasants throwing stones!
So he said âNdiyani anodana Ishe?(Who is calling the king?)"
But Mambo being the King he was, wasnât about to leave his throne to go and address peasants throwing stones!
So he said âNdiyani anodana Ishe?(Who is calling the king?)"
The Swaziâs kept calling him but he kept ignoring them
I personally don't think he was ignoring them. I think his subjects were preparing for the last minute battle
Or maybe he was ignoring them.
If a stranger comes to your house and says come out let's fight. Will you go?
I personally don't think he was ignoring them. I think his subjects were preparing for the last minute battle
Or maybe he was ignoring them.
If a stranger comes to your house and says come out let's fight. Will you go?
The Swaziâs got tired of calling and decided that since he wasnât coming down to them, they would go up to him. So up the hill, they went
The Swazi soldiers found him, held him by his arms and pulled in different directions until one of his arms came off
The Swazi soldiers found him, held him by his arms and pulled in different directions until one of his arms came off
After the Mambo was torn apart, literally, the Swazi made themselves at home in the palace
OTHER VERSIONS OF THE DEATH OF THE LAST MAMBO
1. He was ordered by Nyamazana to jump down from the hill and he died in the process
2. Queen Nyamazana skinned him alive
OTHER VERSIONS OF THE DEATH OF THE LAST MAMBO
1. He was ordered by Nyamazana to jump down from the hill and he died in the process
2. Queen Nyamazana skinned him alive
3. He escaped. The Swazi soldiers caught up andkilled him at Mavangwe Hill, in Buhera. His grave is a protected national monument today
[Anyone from Buhera to confirm?]
4. He escaped and either lived in exile or joined his people who had migrated East
Long live the King!
![3. He escaped. The Swazi soldiers caught up andkilled him at Mavangwe Hill, in Buhera. His grave is a protected national monument today[Anyone from Buhera to confirm?]4. He escaped and either lived in exile or joined his people who had migrated EastLong live the King!](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4cmkWkAMKSRM.jpg "3. He escaped. The Swazi soldiers caught up andkilled him at Mavangwe Hill, in Buhera. His grave is a protected national monument today[Anyone from Buhera to confirm?]4. He escaped and either lived in exile or joined his people who had migrated EastLong live the King!")
[Anyone from Buhera to confirm?
]4. He escaped and either lived in exile or joined his people who had migrated East
Long live the King!
The San (AbaThwa) lived in the area
To avoid problems with ancestors, Nyamazana asked a San woman to be her right hand woman
The lady was light in complexion and very beautifulâhence the reference to her as UMTHWAKAZI OMHLE. Ring a bell?
Mthwakazi [(The Ndebele Nation (Now)]
![The San (AbaThwa) lived in the areaTo avoid problems with ancestors, Nyamazana asked a San woman to be her right hand womanThe lady was light in complexion and very beautifulâhence the reference to her as UMTHWAKAZI OMHLE. Ring a bell?Mthwakazi [(The Ndebele Nation (Now)]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4c6zWoAAnlMf.jpg "The San (AbaThwa) lived in the areaTo avoid problems with ancestors, Nyamazana asked a San woman to be her right hand womanThe lady was light in complexion and very beautifulâhence the reference to her as UMTHWAKAZI OMHLE. Ring a bell?Mthwakazi [(The Ndebele Nation (Now)]")
To avoid problems with ancestors, Nyamazana asked a San woman to be her right hand woman
The lady was light in complexion and very beautifulâhence the reference to her as UMTHWAKAZI OMHLE. Ring a bell?
Mthwakazi [(The Ndebele Nation (Now)]
Years later, King Mzilikazi arrived in present day Matabeleland
The Ndebele had arrived without their King and after a long time of him MIA they believed he was dead
So his son Nkulumane became King of the Ndebele
Then Mzilikazi showed up very much alive
Heads rolled!
The Ndebele had arrived without their King and after a long time of him MIA they believed he was dead
So his son Nkulumane became King of the Ndebele
Then Mzilikazi showed up very much alive
Heads rolled!
Itâs taboo to have more than one King
[This is a long story that needs its own thread. NB: Nkulumane was innocent bakithi!
Emotions aside - this story will be told separately]
Ok so King Mzilikazi sat the throne and his priority was to unite every group and form one nation
![Itâs taboo to have more than one King[This is a long story that needs its own thread. NB: Nkulumane was innocent bakithi! Emotions aside - this story will be told separately]Ok so King Mzilikazi sat the throne and his priority was to unite every group and form one nation](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4dmhXYAA0WlA.jpg "Itâs taboo to have more than one King[This is a long story that needs its own thread. NB: Nkulumane was innocent bakithi! Emotions aside - this story will be told separately]Ok so King Mzilikazi sat the throne and his priority was to unite every group and form one nation")
[This is a long story that needs its own thread. NB: Nkulumane was innocent bakithi!
Emotions aside - this story will be told separately]
Ok so King Mzilikazi sat the throne and his priority was to unite every group and form one nation
Mzilikaziâs medicine man Mphubane Mzizi had skills!
He proved Nkulumane was 'guilty' by making him lift up an enchanted animal skin that only a King could lift
He used Mzilikazi & Queen Nyamazana's blood to forge an unbreakable bond meant to unite the nations (Swazi + Ndebele)
He proved Nkulumane was 'guilty' by making him lift up an enchanted animal skin that only a King could lift
He used Mzilikazi & Queen Nyamazana's blood to forge an unbreakable bond meant to unite the nations (Swazi + Ndebele)
What's bad is that Nyamazana didn't know that her blood was being used for rituals
She was there because King Mzilikazi had invited her over, to ask her out
Mzilikazi: "Nyamazana, will you marry me so our Empires can unite?"
She said YES!
[Was she under a spell?
]
![What's bad is that Nyamazana didn't know that her blood was being used for ritualsShe was there because King Mzilikazi had invited her over, to ask her out Mzilikazi: "Nyamazana, will you marry me so our Empires can unite?"She said YES! [Was she under a spell? ]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4eilWsAA18vW.jpg "What's bad is that Nyamazana didn't know that her blood was being used for ritualsShe was there because King Mzilikazi had invited her over, to ask her out Mzilikazi: \"Nyamazana, will you marry me so our Empires can unite?\"She said YES! [Was she under a spell? ]")
She was there because King Mzilikazi had invited her over, to ask her out
Mzilikazi: "Nyamazana, will you marry me so our Empires can unite?"
She said YES!
[Was she under a spell?
]
Then was a Smallpox(Impunza) outbreak in the Swazi
The King's nyanga made a vaccine, tried it on a few people and sent them to go and live with the Swazi to see if the vaccine would work (It worked!)
They got there saying they were there to escort the Queen to her royal wedding
The King's nyanga made a vaccine, tried it on a few people and sent them to go and live with the Swazi to see if the vaccine would work (It worked!)
They got there saying they were there to escort the Queen to her royal wedding
Anyways, Queen Nyamazana married King Mzilikazi. They had a very beautiful wedding & later a son
It was a marriage of convenience but still!
Mzilikazi now had power over the Swazi, which was now commonly known as uMthwakazi
King Mzilikazi left the name unchanged
It was a marriage of convenience but still!
Mzilikazi now had power over the Swazi, which was now commonly known as uMthwakazi
King Mzilikazi left the name unchanged
Queen Nyamazana had smallpox on her wedding day shame 
Hence the Ndebele saying âInhlanhla yaMaSwazi, wona aqonywa yinkosi elempunza" meaning "The luck of the Swazi people, who are married by Kings even though they have smallpox"
Hence the Ndebele saying âInhlanhla yaMaSwazi, wona aqonywa yinkosi elempunza" meaning "The luck of the Swazi people, who are married by Kings even though they have smallpox"
So on their wedding day, the King addressed everyone saying âLina Mahlabezulu (The Ndebele) lani bakaMthwakazi (The Swazi)â
It was the first time the king said the name Mthwakazi in public and people loved the sound of it
From then, it became a reference to the Ndebele Nation
It was the first time the king said the name Mthwakazi in public and people loved the sound of it
From then, it became a reference to the Ndebele Nation
King Mzilikazi died in 1868 and was buried eNtumbane in Matopo
Queen Nyamazana died in the 1900s...
[1900s? Does this mean she was there during the Matabele war? So she knew Queen Lozikeyi? What was her role after the death of her husband? Royal mother? I have questions 
]
![King Mzilikazi died in 1868 and was buried eNtumbane in MatopoQueen Nyamazana died in the 1900s...[1900s? Does this mean she was there during the Matabele war? So she knew Queen Lozikeyi? What was her role after the death of her husband? Royal mother? I have questions ]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4hChWAAAvJx3.jpg "King Mzilikazi died in 1868 and was buried eNtumbane in MatopoQueen Nyamazana died in the 1900s...[1900s? Does this mean she was there during the Matabele war? So she knew Queen Lozikeyi? What was her role after the death of her husband? Royal mother? I have questions ]")
Queen Nyamazana died in the 1900s...
[1900s? Does this mean she was there during the Matabele war? So she knew Queen Lozikeyi? What was her role after the death of her husband? Royal mother?
I have questions ]
So the Swazi Queendom merged with the Ndebele Kingdom and became THE Ndebele Kingdom
Queen Nyamazana was now a royal wife so she was part of AbeZansi
[You know the Ndebele classification system, right?
]
THE END
Long live the Queen!
Long live the King!
![So the Swazi Queendom merged with the Ndebele Kingdom and became THE Ndebele KingdomQueen Nyamazana was now a royal wife so she was part of AbeZansi[You know the Ndebele classification system, right? ] THE END Long live the Queen! Long live the King!](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EWk4hlnXkAAFUHr.jpg "So the Swazi Queendom merged with the Ndebele Kingdom and became THE Ndebele KingdomQueen Nyamazana was now a royal wife so she was part of AbeZansi[You know the Ndebele classification system, right? ] THE END Long live the Queen! Long live the King!")
Queen Nyamazana was now a royal wife so she was part of AbeZansi
[You know the Ndebele classification system, right?
] THE END Long live the Queen!
Long live the King!
SOURCES
1. Oral
2. Zimbabwe's Cultural Heritage by Pathisa Nyathi
3. The Rebirth of Bukalanga by @Ndzimuunami1982
4. Zimbabwe African People's Union by Eliakim M. Sibanda
5. Women Rulers Throughout the Ages by Guida M. Jackson
6. The Ndebele Nation by Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni
1. Oral
2. Zimbabwe's Cultural Heritage by Pathisa Nyathi
3. The Rebirth of Bukalanga by @Ndzimuunami1982
4. Zimbabwe African People's Union by Eliakim M. Sibanda
5. Women Rulers Throughout the Ages by Guida M. Jackson
6. The Ndebele Nation by Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni
PS: The History of The Ndebele Kingdom is quite long and complex. I didn't focus much on it here.
This was about Queen Nyamazana
I'd love to write about the fate of Nkulumane and the "Disappearance" of King Lobengula
Thank you for reading and kindly forgive thy English
This was about Queen Nyamazana
I'd love to write about the fate of Nkulumane and the "Disappearance" of King Lobengula
Thank you for reading and kindly forgive thy English
