Twelve Girls Band at Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC, Sunday 16 October 2005
.: Originally published: The Washington Post, 18 October 2005, Page C04
.: Selected discography: Twelve Girls of Christmas (Twelve Girls Band, 2005); Romantic Energy (Twelve Girls Band, 2005); Freedom (Twelve Girls Band, 2004); Eastern Energy (Twelve Girls Band, 2004). Amawushe history – Izibongo Izithakazelo Umlando
On By bongskhumaloIn History
Uma unolwazi lomlando luka ‘Amawushe’, sicela ulifake kuma-comments.
My name is Noluvuyo Mjoli and I am of the isiBhaca speaking people of South Africa. I was born in a Village of Lourdes, Mzimkhulu. Umzimkhulu is also a famous land where amaBhaca are found in large Numbers. Neighbouring towns such as,iXopo, Tsolo, Mount’ ferere, Flegstaf, Matatiele, Hlane, Mgungundlovu, Lulangeni, Mpendle, Qumbu, Lutateni, Cabazi, Mhlotsheni, Tshikini, Mvuzi, Nkungwini, are all former Transkie and territory which was shared between amaMpondo and amaBhaca.
My father is of the Mjoli clan, house of Sondzaba. His name was S’hlabane, his father was Mandiza. We are the descendant of amaWushe who joined forces with amaZelemu against the domination of king Shaka who wanted to expand the Zulu kingdom by taking independant nations like amaWushe, amaQwabe, etc under him as Zulus. Others have argued that Wushe is related to Zulus by the virture of Zulu giving birth to two sons, Wushe and Didi (Zelemu).
However, this is a late encounter when amaWushe had already lost their autonomy after amaZelemu took charge. Nonetheless, Lufulwenja founded the surname Mjoli. His sons inherited it and passed it on. He was given birth by Mageba kaGumede kaZulu. Khalimeshe is a grandson of Didi, he was the one who gave birth to Madzikane. King Madzikane is important for amaBhaca. He is the one who fled for safety with his people during the wars of Umfecane during the late 1800s.
My genetics are traced from all the specimen but I pay homage to uNtu; the ancestors of all Bantu People.
Sonke siyisizwe sakwaNtu sizalwa nguye uMvelingqangi. uNtu uzele uMnguni yena wazala uNkosinkulu yena wazala uMdlani yena wazala uLuzumane yena wazala uMalandela Kodwa uMalandela wabhubha enganabo abantwana kwanyanzeleka ukuba uNtombela kaLuzumane ongumntakubo Malandela makandise umzi womntakwabo ngoku Ngena umamekhaya kaMalandela kwazalwa uZulu noQwabe ngesende likaNtombela uZulu yena uzele uGumede endlini enkulu ze wazala uDidi endlini yasekunene uDidi wema sizwe sakhe kuthiwa ngaba ngabakwaZelemu uDidi yena wazala uVebi yena wazala uWabana yena wazala uKhalimeshe yena wazala uMadzikane yena wazala uSonyangwe endlini yasekunene nguNcaphayi. uNcaphayi lona uzele uDiko yena wazala uQoza yena wazala uMathakathi yena wazala uMabhijela yena wazala uDingumhlaba yena wazala uDilizantaba yena wazala uThandisizwe oyinkosi yakwaBhaca
My Mother is of the Dlamini royalty, they are the children of Mazinywana, ka Sibal’khulu. I am also a grandchild to umzi wakwa Jali and Ndzimande. You see we were kings and queens back then before Mfecane, but today the soil has seen better days.
Izithakazelo zakwa Xesibe