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Mmanthatisi: The Woman King

Warrior Queen Mmanthatisi, like many great African kings such as Sekhukhune, Faku, and Cetshwayo, took the Batlokwa throne by force and eliminated anyone who stood in her way. In a military career that resulted in the conquering of almost 30 tribes, she is said to have defeated King Zwide of amaNdwandwe and King Moshoeshoe of Basotho. Mmanthatisi was a tall and attractive woman, light brown in complexion. She married Kgosi Mokotjo, who was born with a strange illness and died peacefully at the age of 27, in the nurturing care of his queen. Upon the death of the King, Mmanthatisi took his royal mantle, covered herself, and convened a council meeting where she declared herself Queen Regent, going against many Batlokwa traditions and customs. One notable Motlokwa elder named Makgetha commented that: "I’ve always known that the Queen had an unusual talent, but never expected her to forcefully adorn herself with the royal mantle, and have Batlokwa calling her King unexpectedly.” On the the other hand, Phokanoka, another prominent Motlokwa, expressed his support for Queen Mmanthatisi and claimed that her leadership skills would be useful to Batlokwa. He proclaimed: “It is clear that today Batlokwa have found themselves a leader who understands and will carry out their goals. In my opinion, the Queen knows what we desire, which is to grab our weapons and make a name for ourselves.” Sehalahala, Kgosi Mokotjo’s brother, opposed Mmanthati’s leadership and felt that she's a foreigner who was born a Mosia, and that the people wanted to be ruled by a pure Motlokwa such as himself. Others resented being led by a woman, and there were those who felt that she had taken advantage of the trust King Mokotjo placed in her prior to his death in 1813. These criticisms reached Kgosihadi Mmanthatisi’s ears and showing her darker side, she took exception to them. She was determined to deal harshly with the critics, who included male cultural brokers and ideologues who believed in patriarchy. All those who were critical of her were called in to the kgotla council and Mmanthatisi did not mince her words in ridiculing them and calling them rebels. Although Queen Regent Mmanthatisi was regarded as an ‘iron lady’ by some, not everybody viewed her in this way. She embodied ‘care’, not only for her subjects but also for those who came to her territory to seek refuge. One of the best examples of this is when Motshodi, leader of a small group of amaHlubi, came with his people to ask for refuge and Queen Mmanthatisi accepted them with open arms. She included amaHlubi in her military attacks on other nations in order to grow her nation. Motshodi was also given the task of presiding over some issues as per Mmanthatisi’s request. After some time, when visiting the Queen’s royal residence, Motshodi was accused of always bringing his own food to avoid eating from the same pot as Batlokoa. In his defence, he claimed that he was afraid to eat the food offered to him, saying it had been sacrificed to the spirit of Mokotjo, a sneaky way of accusing Mmanthatisi of poisoning her husband. To Mmanthatisi and the entire Tlokwa nation this was a very grave allegation, and Mmanthatisi was left with no other option than to deal swiftly and decisively with Motshodi and his subjects. After this stance by Queen Mmanthatisi, her subjects started praising her for her strong leadership. She also tested her military power and tactics by sending her people to attack King Zwide kaLanga, the powerful monarch of amaNdwandwe. Zwide was caught unprepared and easily defeated. In this attack, Mmanthatisi confiscated many cattle from amaNdwandwe. Queen Manthatisi ordered her son Sekonyela to execute Motshodi. Armed only with his spear, he beheaded Motsholi and had some of his subjects killed. Motshodi's death triggered a sense of revenge by amaHlubi who were led by Mpangazitha. The attack by amaHlubi caught Batlokoa and Mmanthatisi off guard. They fled their homesteads and sought refuge among Basia territories, while amaHlubi destroyed almost everything. This was a tough period for Warrior Queen Mmanthatisi and her subjects. Manthatisi’s brother, Letlaka invited her to stay but she refused as some of her followers had planned to take the cattle of their hosts. Kgosi Nkgahle, of Batlokwa ba Mokgalong, who lived nearby, was another who offered sanctuary and assistance, but this she also refused. Kgosihadi Mmanthatisi was afraid of losing the independence of her nation, especially since the Mokgalong branch was the senior house compared to her Batlokwa ba Mokotleng.