Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo is historically respected for leading the Ndebele 1896 uprising against British colonialism. The war was known as Impi yehloka elibomvu/ War of the red axe or First Umvukela, Uprising.
The Ndebele queen during the reign of King Mzilikazi Khumalo was Queen Loziba Thebe. During the reign of King Lobhengula, his sister Mncengence reigned as the first queen of Bulawayo. After her execution, Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo took over as the queen.
When the Ndebele State collapsed in 1893, King Lobhengula escaped to Ngoniland thus leaving Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo to assume his kingly functions as the Queen Regent. Queen Lozikeyi was prepared for this role as she dealt with foreign delegates and advised the king on various diplomatic issues. She also liaised with King Lobhengula’s Prime Minister Magwegwe Fuyane on matters of national interest and security.
The Dlodlos were gifted in war medicines. Queen Lozikeyi prepared most of the war medicines to strengthen the national army and exorcise those who were troubled by evil spells. She also administered medicines that gave soldiers uncommon courage and supernatural strength.
Queen Lozikeyi also led the annual Inxwala/First Fruits ceremony parade. Her inxwala attire was a colourful beaded apron, coils of beads on the arms legs, throat and head. She also wore bright cotton clothes and a bright orange cloth with dozens of jays’ feathers on the head.
Being a diplomatic, political and spiritual leader prepared Queen Lozikeyi for her role as Queen Regent. It is said that on the day of his escape, King Lobhengula gave Queen Lozikeyi a lot of gold coins and money. She also had1 000 rifles and 100 000 rounds of ammunition.
Queen Lozikeyi led the nation and was respected by the chiefs and the people. White people did not realise that she had taken over leadership of the Ndebele people. She established her capital at a place called Nkosikazi in Bubi district where her grave is located.
Queen Lozikeyi held the strong view that the 1893 Anglo-Ndebele war was inconclusive as the king was never captured and killed.
Having been the last one to have final discussions with the king before his escape, many believed that she carried his last words and final message.
Her message to the chiefs was repossession of the land and cattle that were violently stolen by the British and a restoration of the Ndebele traditional leadership and monarchy.
To prepare for war, the Queen ordered the chiefs to remobilise the regiments. She also drew a wide range of allies before the revolt was launched. Muntuwani Dlodlo who controlled the Red axe shrine appeased the ancestors andcoordinated the war with his sister, Queen Lozikeyi.
The war broke out on 12 March 1896 when the moon was full. The war is said to have broken out like a bolt from the blue and caught the whites by surprise.Dr Yvonne Vera described Queen Lozikeyi as “. . . a conspicuous and commanding figure. A big, bold and beautiful woman of ample proportions and clearly the leading spirit among the Ndebele queens. With quick intelligence and ready wit, she was also remarkable among Ndebele women.”
A biography of Queen Lozikeyi written by Marieke Farber Clarke and Phathisa Nyathi is highly recommended, where she is described as “. . . very dangerous and intriguing woman.” – The Sunday News
