Much of the available information on Qwabe tells the story of a family feud that resulted in two brothers, Zulu and Qwabe, going their separate ways. The brothers were the sons of Malandela kaLuzumana. Malandela married Nozidiya who gave birth to all-male offspring, with Qwabe being her first-born and Zulu her last.
After the passing of her husband, Nozidiya managed to acquire a rare breed of pure white Nguni cows through the sale of mats that she had made. It is said that on seeing the cattle, Qwabe tried to claim them as his own, as the eldest son and rightful heir. But Nozidiya had given the cows to Zulu. There is some confusion as to what happened next – some claim that a bloody battle broke out with Zulu and his mother being ousted from the family homestead, while others say that in an effort to keep the peace Nozidiya convinced Zulu that they should leave of their own accord. Regardless, the two brothers parted ways with Zulu and his mother settling in the Mfule Valley, some 150 kilometres from Durban. Apparently this separation of the brothers marks the start of a new clan, known as AmaZulu, the people of heaven.
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Dear Storyteller
I am Philasande Qwabe. Father is M Qwabe and mother N Shongwe.
Hear this account, told plainly and firmly from the lineage of Qwabe.
Qwabe was the firstborn of uMalandela kaLuzumana, the rightful heir by birth and by lineage. The quarrel was not born of greed over cattle. Qwabe uncovered an illicit affair between Nozidiya and Ntombela. Ntombela demanded the matter be kept secret; Qwabe refused, for Nozidiya was not wedded to Ntombela and the truth threatened the integrity of succession.
Pressure then mounted to strip Qwabe of his birthright and elevate Zulu in his place. Zulu, aware of these designs, was pushed by the crowd to challenge his elder. Qwabe told Nozidiya he did not want blood between them, but public insistence forced a confrontation at Kumgangela. In that encounter Zulu suffered a shoulder wound, fell ill for days, and was nursed by Nozidiya.
When Qwabe struck Nozidiya’s favourite child, she ordered him to leave. Qwabe refused to abandon his right. Ntombela then plotted to send Qwabe to the ancestors without Nozidiya’s sanction, but the plot failed because the daughter of uNtombela, who cared for Qwabe, warned him. Spurned and endangered, Qwabe gathered the homesteads and regiments long under uMalandela the Gumedes, the Mngunis, the Gamas, the Ngemas, the Sibiyas and others forming around eleven centres of loyalty.
The majority of the lineage and regiments recognized Qwabe as the rightful heir. Those who sided with Ntombela and Nozidiya aboNtanzi and their followers remained with Zulu and left the hills of Ngoye. Thus the Zulu homestead became smaller by exodus, not by conquest.
Do not recast this history as petty theatre. We, the descendants of Qwabe, remain and carry this truth in our blood. You may choose not to acknowledge it; still know that this truth endures. I know it can form calamity but know that
Well, Qwabe was the one to go to the Ngoye hills.
Hi Phakathwayo.
Thank you so much for this valuable piece of information. Salute Ntu. I also know the story of the dispute as it is told by the group above. I am so grateful for it as it has always been in my mind to revive the memory of this Queen Nozidiya, mother of Zulu no Qwabe kaMalandela. I have always been inspired by her bravery, and that I also belong to her -Zungu clan. And as a result I am busy trying to put things together to do justice on the life and times of Queen Nozidiya.(OkaZungu)
Hi Phakathwayo.
Thank you so much for this valuable piece of information. Salute Ntu. I also know the story of the dispute as it is told by the group above. I am so grateful for it as it has always been in my mind to revive the memory of this Queen Nozidiya, mother of Zulu no Qwabe kaMalandela. I have always been inspired by her bravery, and that I also belong to her -Zungu clan. And as a result I am busy trying to put things together to do justice on the life and times of Queen Nozidiya.(OkaZungu)