Mmanthatisi facts for kids

Mmanthatisi (born around 1784, died 1847) was a powerful leader of the Tlokwa people. She led her people from 1813 to 1824. This was during a time when her son, Sekonyela, was too young to rule. Mmanthatisi became a regent, which means she ruled in her son's place. She took over after her husband, Kgosi Mokotjo, passed away.

People knew Mmanthatisi as a strong, brave, and skilled leader. She was good at leading both in peace and war. Her followers sometimes called her Mosanyane, meaning "the tiny one," because she had a slender body. Her tribe was originally called Balefe. But during her time, they became known as boo-Mmanthatisi or the Manthatee Horde by the English. Mmanthatisi used her strength and dedication to keep her people together. This was important during the Mfecane/Difaqane wars, a time of great movement and conflict.

Who was Mmanthatisi?

Mmanthatisi's birth name was Monyalue. She was the daughter of Mothaha, a chief of the Sia tribe. She was born in what is now the Free State province of South Africa. This area is near the town of Harrismith. People described her as a beautiful, tall girl with a light skin tone. She was also known for her good manners and intelligence. Mmanthatisi grew up near Ntsuanatsatsi, a legendary home for humankind.

The Batlokwa are a group of Bantu-speaking people. They came from the Great Lakes region in Africa. During the time of Mmanthatisi's husband, Kgosi Mokotjo, the Batlokwa lived in a place called Nkoe. Later, they moved to Sefate. The name of their capital, Nkwe/Sefate, showed their special animal, the leopard. This area near Harrismith was made a heritage site in 2016.

How Mmanthatisi Became a Motlokwa Leader

When she was young, Monyalue married her cousin, Mokotjo. He was the chief of the Batlokwa. This marriage was a common way for powerful families to join together. Their first child, a daughter, was born around 1800. They named her Nthatisi.

In Batlokwa culture, a mother gets a new name when her first child is born. This new name starts with "Mma" (meaning "mother to") followed by the child's name. So, Monyalue became Mmanthatisi because her first child was Nthatisi. Later, she had a son named Sekonyela in 1804. He became the next leader. She also had another son named Mota.

Mmanthatisi's Time as Regent

Mokotjo died in 1813 when he was only 27 years old. Mmanthatisi then became the regent for Sekonyela. He was too young to rule, being only nine years old. Mokotjo had died from an illness while on a trip. Mmanthatisi kept good relations with her own Basia people. She got advice from Basia elders and sent her son to be raised by her brother.

Sekonyela was not old enough to rule for another ten years. Mmanthatisi's mother-in-law, Ntlo-Kholo, had also been a regent for Mokotjo. This was a similar situation. Mokotjo's half-brother, Sehalahala, did not like Mmanthatisi's leadership. He felt she was an outsider because she was born a Mosia. Some people also did not want to be led by a woman. But Mmanthatisi stayed strong and determined as she led the Batlokwa.

Mmanthatisi later married her brother-in-law, Sehalahala. They had another son together. Around 1817, the powerful Zulu Kingdom was growing. Mmanthatisi decided to move her tribe westward. Her warriors attacked the Ndwandwe and took many of their cattle. This victory helped her form an alliance with the Hlubi people. They then attacked the land of Moshoeshoe I. At its largest, Mmanthatisi's group of Tlokwa people was estimated to be between 35,000 and 40,000 strong.

Great Victories and Challenges

In 1822, during the Mfecane/Difaqane Wars, two groups, the AmaHlubi and AmaNgwane, attacked Mmanthatisi's home. They attacked early in the morning to surprise her people. Even though they were not ready, her brave warriors fought back. However, it was a big defeat for Mmanthatisi. She and some of her people had to flee to her brother Letlala's home. In one night, the Batlokwa lost their homes, most of their cattle, and many family members.

Her brother invited her to stay, but Mmanthatisi refused. She was worried about losing her tribe's independence. She also feared that the attackers might follow them. Instead, Mmanthatisi chose to lead her followers west. She decided to do what her people were known for: fight.

Her people's attacks were so fierce that they had to leave everything behind. They then met people living near the upper Vaal River and drove them away. Many smaller tribes joined Mmanthatisi. They were looking for safety under her leadership. Her tribe grew and started causing problems for Sotho tribes near the Caledon River. Mmanthatisi became so powerful that people used her name to describe their attackers. To make her tribe bigger, she forced captured enemies to join her group. Many people were killed, and about 28 tribes were destroyed.

Mmanthatisi's Reputation

During her time as regent, Mmanthatisi ruled over 40,000 people. She acted as a chief, asking elders for advice and making decisions. She also strengthened her army and settled arguments. Over time, her people started calling themselves Manthatisis. This was a way to honor her, like they would a powerful chief.

Stories spread that she had a single eye on her forehead. Tribes who heard this became afraid of her. They did not try to fight back together. Mmanthatisi was known for her intelligence. One time, when her soldiers were away, she stopped an attack. She gathered all the women and lined them up in front of the camp. In front of them, she placed the men who were left. These men held up mats and hoes. From a distance, it looked like a strong army. This made Mpangazitha, an AmaHlubi chief, stop his attack. He had hoped to find the camp unprotected.

Her military power reached as far as modern-day Botswana. At her strongest, her army had almost 40,000 fighters. Since leaving Nkwe, Mmanthatisi had defeated every group she met. Her winning streak ended at the Battle of Dithakong. On June 23, 1823, she suffered a big defeat. This event was written down by Robbet Moffat near Kuruman.

The Battle of Dithakong (June 23, 1823)

The Battle of Dithakong was fought between Mmanthatisi's forces and the Batlhaping people. The Batlhaping were helped by the Griqua. This long battle lasted almost seven hours. It was recorded by Robbet Moffatt on June 23, 1823. The BaThlaping were threatened by thousands of Batlokwa/Basotho from Mmanthatisi's group. These tribes were fighting over dwindling supplies of cattle and corn. They were hungry and wanted to raid the BaThlaping's cattle.

Reverend Moffat quickly went to Griquatown to ask the Griqua for help. Reverend Waterboer and other Griqua leaders rode north with about 200 men. They were joined by BaTlhaping warriors. About 200 Griqua horsemen, armed with guns, faced the large numbers of Basotho. The Basotho had spears and shields made of cowhide. The BaTlhaping warriors waited as the Griqua attacked.

The Basotho suffered many losses and were forced to run away. This was a huge and first loss for Mmanthatisi. She had defeated almost 29 tribes since leaving Harrismith at the start of the Difaqane. However, the chief of the Bangwaketsi, Makaba, decided to fight Mmanthatisi head-on. He gathered all his warriors and set traps. A battle broke out, and many of Mmanthatisi's invaders were killed. Mmanthatisi then decided to pull her army back to the east. This made Makaba the first Tswana chief to push back Mmanthatisi's powerful army. British forces near Aliwal North also stopped her from entering the Cape Colony.

On her way back to the Free State, Mmanthatisi forced the Bataung and Bafokeng tribes across the Lekwa (Vaal) River. At this time, her people were tired of war and needed a resting place. They approached Butha-Buthe, which was occupied by Moshoeshoe I and his people. Mmanthatisi forced them out. This is when Moshoeshoe moved to Thaba-Bosiu to escape Mmanthatisi.

Some Europeans at the time saw Mmanthatisi as a bad person. But she was a strong, capable, and popular leader in both war and peace. Unlike other chiefs who lost their people during the Difaqane Wars, she successfully kept her tribe together. This was despite frequent attacks from Nguni groups. In 1824, Mmanthatisi felt that Sekonyela was old enough to rule. She retired, and Sekonyela became the sole ruler of the Batlokwa.

Mmanthatisi's Retirement

The Batlokwa settled where the Senqu and Mahlakeng Rivers meet. Mmanthatisi settled at the mountain stronghold of Marabeng. Her son, Sekonyela, settled at another nearby stronghold called Jwala-Boholo. Jwala-Boholo, meaning "Majestic Mountain," is east of Ficksburg in the Free State. It was first occupied by a branch of the Bakoena tribe. Mmanthatisi's Batlokwa later took it from them. This natural fortress was her capital for many years. Many battle plans were made there.

Chieftainess Mmanthatisi passed away in 1847 and was buried on Jwala-Boholo. She was one of the most famous and feared women military and political leaders of the early 1800s.