Queen Nandi

Queen Nandi of the Zulu Kingdom. Circa 1766 – 1827. East Coast of South Africa. Queen Mother for 11 years. Nandi was the mother of the legendary Great King Shaka. Shaka’s father was the Zulu king, Senzangakhona kaJama, who impregnated Nandi out of wedlock. Senzangakgona initially denied paternity. Nandi and her son were taken to the Zulu capital where they were shamed, as the child had been born out of wedlock. Even once king Senzangakhona eventually married Nandi, she was placed as the lowly third wife. Nandi and young Shaka were taunted and bullied by the king’s other wives and children. Nandi fled the tribe with Shaka and her second child by the king, a girl called Noncuba. They were given sanctuary with the eLangeni. Despite great adversity and humiliation, Nandi taught little Shaka to have strength of will and to always believe in his destiny. For her fierce protection and devotion to her children, Nandi is now recognized for being one of the greatest single mothers in history. Young Shaka became a herd-boy and later was trained as a fighter and leader by the clan leader, Dingiswayo. Shaka soon distinguished himself in battle, as physically invincible and a brilliant strategist. In 1816, Shaka returned to his father’s kraal and took power of the Zulu nation, with his mother by his side. It is alleged that she exercised a great deal of influence over the affairs of the kingdom. Shaka revered his mother and gave her power to govern in his absence while he was on campaign. While Shaka became more and more ruthless with ambition and extended the Zulu nation far beyond its traditional boundaries, it is believed that Queen Nandi was a force for moderation in his life, often advising political compromises rather than violent action.