Lojiba Simelane
Queen Lojiba Simelane was one of the wives of King Ndvungunye and the sister of Ndvungunye's main wife Somnjalose Simelane, the mother of King Sobhuza I. Lojiba acted as the queen regent and Indlovukati of Swaziland from 1836 after the death of Sobhuza I until 1840 when King Mswati II became the king.[1]
Lojiba Simelane | |
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| Born | |
| Died | |
| Other names | LaSibandze |
| Title | Queen |
| Spouse | King Ndvungunye |
| Father | Sibandze Simelane |
| Relatives | Somnjalose Simelane (sister) |
Lojiba and Somnjalose were given in marriage to King Ndvungunye by the Simelane clan when the clan sought refuge in his kingdom. Their father was Sibandze Simelane.[2]
The sisters were born into the Ndlangamandla people, a smaller sub-clan within the larger Simelane lineage. Lojiba, also known as LaSibandze, was likely older to Somnjalose. Historically, the Simelane clan resided in Empangeni, in the Zulu Kingdom, but migrated due to ongoing regional conflicts. Initially, they settled south of the Pongola River, where the Simalane chief, Mabonya (their brother), a son of the late Chief Sibandze Simelane, was killed in battle. After his death, leadership passed to Mabonga's brother Mancala, who guided the clan north to kaNgwane (the Swazi heartland) in search of refuge under King Ndvungunye.[2][3][1]
During the early years of King Sobhuza I’s reign, the Simelane and Mamba clans served as Swazi protective buffers against attacks from the Ndwandwe and other hostile groups in the areas of Mahamba, Mkhondo, and Dumbe. In the Shiselweni region, Sobhuza I's regiments, stationed at Kontjingila, were led by the warrior Mbiko Simelane. Later, a granddaughter of Sobhuza I married Simelane chief Ntshingila II, further strengthening ties between the royal family and the Simelane clan.[3][2][4]
When Sobhuza I passed away in 1836, Lojiba Simelane assumed the role of regent, governing alongside Sobhuza's eldest son, Prince Malambule, until Mswati II came of age and ascended the throne in 1840.[1]
Successions
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Matsebula, J.S; Mlotshwa, D.K.; Mlotshwa, J M; Ntiwane, N.D (2016): The History of Emaswati in South Africa. South Africa: Mbokodo Publishers. Page 47 ISBN 9780620653848
- ^ a b c Matsebula, J.S.M (1980): A History of Swaziland. Cape Town: Creda Press. Page 8, 15, ISBN 9780582642126
- ^ a b Philip Bonner interview series, Philip Bonner, 1970.download PDF
- ^ The Simelanes. Killie Campbell Collections. Killie Campbell Africana Library. The Zulu Tribal Essay Competition
| Pre-modern Swaziland (until 1745) |
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| Modern Swaziland (1745–1906) |
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| Paramount Chiefs under British rule (1906–1968) |
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| Kings of Swaziland (1968–2018) |
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| Kings of Eswatini (2018–present) |
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| tiNdlovukati (Queen Mother/Doctor) |
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