MANTHATISI

Manthatisi (circa 1781-circa 1836), or Ma-Nthatisi, also known as Mmanthatisi, was the regent chieftainess of the Batlokwa, a Sotho clan.

A warrior queen, she ruled over the Batlokwa for her minor son, Sekonyela, from 1813 until about 1824, when her son assumed power. A dreaded figure said to have had only one eye, she was responsible for the Batlokwa being given the name “Mantatees.”

The daughter of Mothaba of the Basia, another Sotho clan who lived in what is now the Orange Free State, she married her cousin, Mokotjo, ruler of the Batlokwa of Tsotetsi, who also lived in what is now the Orange Free State, near present-day Harrismith. They had, first a daughter, Nthatisi, then a son, Sekonyela in 1804, and then a second son. That she rose to power after her husband’s death in about 1817 is remarkable, considering the turbulence of her husband’s people.

A woman of great natural ability, she established her authority over the Batlokwa through force of character, sweeping her husband’s brothers aside to assume the regency on behalf of her son, Sekoryela, whom she sent to live with her people until he reached maturity. Gradually she was established as an idol of her people.

In 1817 Manthatist’s army crossed the Umzinyati (Buffalo River) and attacked the Hlubi ruler, Zwide, capturing many of his cattle and people. As a result of this victory, in 1818 some 2,000 of Zwide’s followers sought Manthatisi’s protection. She was delighted at such an accession of strength to her nation and accepted their allegiance. But when one Hlubi leader, Motsholi, together with his counsellors, later proved disloyal, she had them killed in cold blood.

The dramatic rise of the Zulu leader Shaka led to widespread displacements among the peoples of what later became Natal and adjoining territories. One such group was Zwide’s people, the Hlubi, a Nguni group from the foothills of the Drakensberg. One branch of the lubi, led by Mpangazitha, reached the high veldt and drove the Tlokwa from their traditional homeland.

Thereupon the Tokwa, under Manthatist’s leadership, moved westward to begin a predatory migration of their own, thereby setting in motion the cycle of disruption on the high veldt that became known to the Sotho as the Difagane. This migration displaced Tswana and Sotho groups and made the name of Manthatisi widely feared. Her people, in consequence, became known as “Mantatees.”

In addition to their own depredations, those of others were often attributed to them, thereby increasing Manthatisi’s reputation for ruthlessness. Her enemies alleged that she was a giantess, that she only had one eye, and that she sent her warriors into battle preceded by large swarms of bees. Her followers, however, called her by the affectionate name of Mosadinyana (“Little Woman”). Although she did not lead the Tlokwa into battle during her regency, she directed their campaigns. In 1822 Manthatisi defeated Sebetwane, leader of the Fokeng, another Sotho group, after which the survivors moved north of the Vaal River and named themselves the Kololo.

In the fall of 1823, she directed a successful attack upon the Sotho leader Moshoeshoe and his followers at what became known as the Battle of the Pots. Moshoeshoe then retreated to the Maluti Mountains, but Manthatisi followed, attacking him again at the battle of Pitsi’s Nek. The following year, 1824, Moshoeshoe and his people sought refuge in the mountain fortress of Butha Buthe, but found themselves besieged by Manthatisi, who had now been joined by her son Sekonyela, obliging him and his followers to establish themselves on a more impregnable mountain fortress known as Thaba Bosiu (“Mountain of Night”).

In the same year, the Tlokwa themselves began to settle down in the Caledon Valley in what is now Lesotho, Manthatisi herself occupying a mountain stronghold named Marabeng, and Sekonyela occupying an adjacent one called Joalaboholo. On this occasion, Manthatisi is said to have exclaimed: “Now, at last, have I found a home where I and my people may live in safety.” She remained at Marabeng until her death.

MOLAPATENE RAMUSI