Abby Connolly
When Jama passed away, Senzangakhona was too young to lead the Zulu kingdom. Mkabayi became a regent, so she could advise the king on how to rule and make decisions for the kingdom.
A woman becoming a regent to a king was unheard of at the time, but Mkabayi was a reliable source to the young king as he grew older. A
ny attacks made against the young king were shot down by Mkabayi, who stepped down as regent once he was old enough to rule on his own. Although she was no longer regent, she still was a close advisor.
When Senzangakhona died years later, it was time for one of his sons to assume the throne. Mkabayi advocated for his son Shaka and gathered political support for him.
During Shaka’s reign, Mkabayi founded a tribe and created social reforms throughout the land. Although Shaka was the king, it was Mkabayi that did a lot of work that made the Zulu kingdom thrive.
She was considered a Zulu feminist, and although she was eventually banished under Mpande kaSenzangakhona’s rule and died in 1843, her story lives on within Zulu culture.
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