Sekwati
Sekwati was a 19th-century paramount King of the Pedi people.[1] His reign focused on rebuilding the Pedi Kingdom on the conclusion of the Mfecane and maintaining peaceful relations with the Boer Voortrekkers and neighbouring chiefdoms in the north-eastern Transvaal. He was the father to rivals Sekhukhune I who took over the Marota/Pedi paramountcy by force and Mampuru II, his rightful successor.[2]
| Sekwati I | |
|---|---|
| King of the Bapedi | |
| Reign | circa. 1824 - 20 September 1861 |
| Predecessor | Phetedi |
| Successor | Sekhukhune I |
| Born | Sekwati Thobejane Unkown |
| Died | 20 September 1861 |
| Burial | Thaba Mosega |
| Issue | |
| Father | Thulare |
| Religion | African traditional religion |
By the death of Thulare in 1820, the Marota or Pedi kingdown was in a state of despair due to the ensuing turbulance caused by the aftermath of the Mfecane("the crushing") or Difeqane ("the scattering") and encroaching white settlers(Boers) into the Transvaal. Sekwati came into power after the death of his older brothers who were killed during raids by Mzilikazi's Matabele warriors and other Zulu invaders. To counter harassment by his more power Swazi and Zulu neighbours he moved his capital to Thaba Mosego on the slopes of the Leolo Mountains where he built fortified walls to repel further attacks.
See also
References
- Winter, J. A. (1913). The History of Sekwati. South Africa: South African Journal of Science.
- South African History Online. "Pedi & Anglo-Pedi Wars 1876-1879". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2020-08-08.