Ndlorukazi Nandi kaBebe eLangeni (translates to The Sweet One) was born to a minor Langeni chief[1]. There is little known about Nandi’s childhood due to most of the information coming from vocal sources, but what is known is how she met
Senzagakhona, Shaka Zulu’s father. It is believed that on her way to visit relatives near the Babanango Hills with her friends, the group encountered a young group of hunters from the Zulu tribe, most notably Senzangakhona[2]. On their way back to their tribe, it is believed that Nandi met up with Senzangakhona and became romantically involved with him and then became pregnant. When Nandi first informed Senzagakhona of her pregnancy, the Zulu tribal elders claimed that she was not pregnant. They believed she was suffering from a stomach illness caused by the iShaka beetle (an intestinal beetle)[3]. When the child was eventually born, the child and Nandi were taken to the Zulu capital with much shame and no welcoming festivities. This was due to there being no ceremonial celebration for a woman already with child. Nandi took the child to Senzangakhona and presented him with his son, naming him Shaka[4]. Even though Senzangakhona initially attempted to deny paternity of the young Shaka, he eventually married Nandi and had her put into the position of a lowly third wife[5]. Not only did Nandi have a child out of wedlock, she was also in a forbidden clan inter-clan marriage. This came about because Nandi's mother, Mfunda, was the daughter of Kondlo, a Qwabe chief, with whom clan intermarriage with the Zulu was unacceptable due to both tribes claiming the same ancestry[6]. Nandi was subjected to constant bulling from all of Senzangakhona wives and even some of their children[7]. Eventually, Nandi and her son Shaka fled from the Zulu tribe, because Nandi feared for her son’s life. They wandered from place to place, never really staying anywhere for too long. This is until they arrived at the Mthethwa clan[8]. There they were treated with kindness and compassion by the clan leader, Diniswago, who offered to teach Shaka how to rule and fight. During this time, Nandi showed great love for Shaka and encouraged him to do his best. When Shaka was appointed chief of the Zulus, he made Nandi the clan queen and his adviser. As the years went on, Shaka started to treat his mother with reverence, almost as a god-like figure[9]. Nandi remained Shaka’s adviser until October 10, 1827, where she died from dysentery[10].
Senzagakhona, Shaka Zulu’s father. It is believed that on her way to visit relatives near the Babanango Hills with her friends, the group encountered a young group of hunters from the Zulu tribe, most notably Senzangakhona[2]. On their way back to their tribe, it is believed that Nandi met up with Senzangakhona and became romantically involved with him and then became pregnant. When Nandi first informed Senzagakhona of her pregnancy, the Zulu tribal elders claimed that she was not pregnant. They believed she was suffering from a stomach illness caused by the iShaka beetle (an intestinal beetle)[3]. When the child was eventually born, the child and Nandi were taken to the Zulu capital with much shame and no welcoming festivities. This was due to there being no ceremonial celebration for a woman already with child. Nandi took the child to Senzangakhona and presented him with his son, naming him Shaka[4]. Even though Senzangakhona initially attempted to deny paternity of the young Shaka, he eventually married Nandi and had her put into the position of a lowly third wife[5]. Not only did Nandi have a child out of wedlock, she was also in a forbidden clan inter-clan marriage. This came about because Nandi's mother, Mfunda, was the daughter of Kondlo, a Qwabe chief, with whom clan intermarriage with the Zulu was unacceptable due to both tribes claiming the same ancestry[6]. Nandi was subjected to constant bulling from all of Senzangakhona wives and even some of their children[7]. Eventually, Nandi and her son Shaka fled from the Zulu tribe, because Nandi feared for her son’s life. They wandered from place to place, never really staying anywhere for too long. This is until they arrived at the Mthethwa clan[8]. There they were treated with kindness and compassion by the clan leader, Diniswago, who offered to teach Shaka how to rule and fight. During this time, Nandi showed great love for Shaka and encouraged him to do his best. When Shaka was appointed chief of the Zulus, he made Nandi the clan queen and his adviser. As the years went on, Shaka started to treat his mother with reverence, almost as a god-like figure[9]. Nandi remained Shaka’s adviser until October 10, 1827, where she died from dysentery[10].
Nandi being crowned Queen of Queens