HISTORY OF INKOSI MADZIMAWE JELE OF THE NGUNI/ZULU PEOPLE IN ZAMBIA

 

WHO WAS MADZIMAWE JELE?

During, the Angoni-British war of 1898, the British Soldiers targeted two  Ngoni/Zulu Princes, Nsingo and Mthaonga Madzimawe Jele. Whilst they succeeded in eliminating Nsingo, Madzimawe was elusive. To this day, the Angoni songs of praise do not only immortalize Nsingo alone but also Madzimawe. But why is that so and who was Madzimawe really as a personal figure? 

Born Manzi-amabi which means 'bad water' in 1868 at the Matamanzi stream, on the bottom of Mpinduka Hill, in present day Mozambique, Mthaonga was born to King Mphezeni Jele and Queen Chipolo Tonga. 

Just like his elder brother Nsingo Jele, Madzimawe grew up to be a great warrior who commanded an equally formidable regiment. When he was fighting the whites, the Angoni Nation's nemesis by then, the Chewa people  gave him the name MTHAONGA, meaning 'wonga gun powder uzatha', simply teasing the British  colonial government that was hunting him by then, that their gun powder would finish without managing to kill Madzimawe.    

But the Ngonis themselves who prided on having such a military genius would also give him another name, uZhyangayo meaning 'kutwanga' in the local Nyanja dialect. 

A SHIFT FROM HIS MOTHER'S VILLAGE TO HIS OWN VILLAGE

Manziamabi grew up in his mother's village of Chipolo, which is situated not far from the Great East Road, in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Madzimawe  thus founded his Chiefdom from this village. However, he would later leave Chipolo village so as to allow his mother to enjoy (kuusa) as a trend by ngoni customs that the queen mother should continue to enjoy when the son takes over and he has to establish a new capital. 

Please note that, this is a standard procedure for the royals of the Nguni branch, for one to leave their mother's or father's village to establish their own so that the mother (the Queen Mother) can 'enjoy well'. When going to establish the new village, the Prince or Inkosana would be accompanied by some elders (madoda) from the same vigawa in his mother's village to go out with to establish his new village,

He thus founded/established Mazathonya and made it his new headwaters. Although, Madzimawe had over 20 wives, his principal wife was Lozimilo Msitini from present day Chiboma Mstini village, not very far from where the present headquarters of the Madzimawe Kingship is. It should be mentioned that Chipolo village and Mazathonya has same names of Vigawa and the  people are related as they are from the bloodline of those that had escorted Mthaonga to establish his new village.

MADZIMAWE DURING THE WAR IN 1898 AND HIS AFTER LIFE

During the so Angoni-British war of 1898,  the main center of attraction Fwaya in the Luangeni area. However, elsewhere, Madzimawe did not just fold his hands, he equally resisted the British in his base. This made him 'enemy number 2' of the colonial government and they sought to eliminate him. 

They however failed to achieve this objective and soon it was rumored that his grandmother used to hide him in a clay pot whenever the whites wanted to assassinate him.In the ensuing skirmishes that continue to unfold, it was Yakufu Jele, another son of King Mphezeni who lost his life at the hand of the British soldiers. 

After the execution of his brother in 1898,Madzimawe claimed one of the wives of his brother in levirate and even fathered children with her including Amlodi Jele who was once a driver from the Phangweni area. 

In 1903, he was the centre of controversy among the Angoni Nation when he claimed ownership of the Zwangendaba name stating that his grandfather had appeared to him in a dream instructing him to do so. His request was however not granted by both the colonial government and the Angoni royal council. 

MADZIMAWE AND HIS BLOODLINE

Mthaonga lived a glorious life and died in 1909. He was succeeded by his son, Kezala Jele, who reigned under the title of Madzimawe II. Kezala Jele added/founded another capital of the Madzimawe empire which was named Chimudima.This was after he created this village for his other wife Rhoda Phiri, his principle wife was Jane Sikane who remained in Mazathonya.  To this day, the Madzimawe royal family has two grave sites; one for Mazathonya and another one for Chimudima. 

Kezala Jele also known as Chakwenya, reigned upto his death in 1967.Crown Prince,Chimozi Jele did not take over his father's throne immediately. There was a regent of  Lezani Jele and Bezala Jele who were both sons of Eneya Jele who was the young brother to Inkosi kezala Jele. Chimozi Jele was officially installed as Madzimawe III in 1977. 

Inkhosi Chimozi Jele reigned as Madzimawe III  upto his demise in April 1985.

Inkosi Chimozi Jele died in April 1985 and again there was a regent period before the Crown Prince could take over, Acting Kasambamulopa, Golide Tembo simultaneously acted as Inkosi Madzimawe.  In 1993, Inkosi Chimozi's son, Ntabeni Jele took over as Madzimwe IV.

Current Inkosi Madzimwe Jele (left) from Emthengula Isibaya, dances the Ngoni's traditional dance of Ingoma, at the 2015 Ngonis cultural night and dinner in Lusaka. 

Kindly note that the village of Chipolo is still there to this day and has taken up another name of Fisheni village. This name is said to have come about when Madzimawe used to be 'hidden' in a clay pot by his grandmother.