Joy’s Spiritual Heritage Passion For Eswatini

Joy Dumsile Ndwandwe is an iconic spiritual heritage and development consultant and author who is one of the people synonymous with Eswatini.

She was born at Mbabane Government Hospital to Dr Maggie Makhubu (PHD) and the late Rueben Mzila Ndwandwe of Nkambeni, the Children of Madzanga brother to Queen LaZidze mother of King Mswati II.

This indigenous prophet and African Renaissance activist LaNdwandwe is a Swazi Observer Columnist who has published three books: Releasing Monkey’s, Spirit of Kwandza and Akusiko Kwami Kwebantfu unearthing King Sobhuza II’s Philosophy. The first book Releasing Monkey’s is based on her life story whilst leaving with fear, guilt, shame, doubt and anger. Her second book Spirit of Kwandza is a manifestation of her prophetic gift, instructed to write by her spiritual guide; on how to raise children with love, respect, peace, humility and faith based on indigenous knowledge.

The King Sobhuza II leadership legacy book based on his audio and print speeches interpreted into Buntfu Lobuqotfo or Authentic Identity or the King Sobhuza Cosmology. LaNdwandwe is currently writing the second edition of King Sobhuza II legacy book, with volume one currently being edited titled Ubuntu is Indigenous Dignity.
Well-educated Ms Ndwandwe graduated with a distinction in Master’s in Education Philosophy at UNISA/SARCHI/DE: on Negating, Resisting or Affirming Cosmological Principles towards an African Humanism Leadership Theory and Model. She conducted research on indigenous knowledge systems from Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia and Southern Africa, that culminated in cosmological principles.

Ms Ndwandwe is a doctoral candidate at University of South Africa Research Chair in Development Education (UNISA/SARCHI/DE) funded by the National Research Foundation: on UBUNTU Governance towards Restorative Action at the Regional Public Policy Level (SADC).

The National Research Foundation of South Africa, has awarded Ms Ndwandwe a financial grant for her doctoral research, which will also assist her as she is currently championing the establishment of the proposed Academy for Indigenous Knowledge in Eswatini. This research academy will to focus on indigenous dignity and governance, indigenous leadership, indigenous entrepreneurship and integration of indigenous knowledge within public policy.

ESWATINI MEANS TO JOY
I am proudly Swazi, as this country has enabled me to embrace both tradition and modernity, thus, providing me a solid base for my research on indigenous knowledge.

Even though I was nurtured in modernity rooted within Anglicanism and academic family, the preservation of traditions has enabled me to immerse myself as a Swazi. This has enabled me to learn about my spiritual heritage, as my spirituality is linked to tradition and culture, LaZidze in incarnate. This spiritual connectivity with the soul of LaZidze, and the preservation of tradition and culture, has had a positive impact in my academic research.

As a Swazi, am strategically placed in a country where I can be an active participant and academic researcher on indigenous knowledge. Lastly and most significantly being a Swazi with a King as Head of State and Head of Indigenous Knowledge, creates a competitive advantage for my academic research. Finally, being a Swazi woman with a Queen Mother, Mhlekazi, She Elephant, has rooted me within the context of gender inclusive leadership.