Queen Nzinga’s efforts were an inspiration to movements for justice around the world today. She led an epic struggle against European colonization while safeguarding her people and culture, fighting back with resilience against European imperialism to protect both.
Nzinga demonstrated her knowledge of politics and diplomacy when negotiating with Portuguese officials, using cultural awareness by wearing traditional Ndongo clothing during meetings to emphasize equality between cultures.
1. Defend Your Territory
Queen Nzinga of Africa was an indomitable 17th-century leader who used clever strategies to put an end to Portuguese slave raids in her kingdom and show her resilience during times of turmoil. Queen Nzinga’s perseverance is testament to her unparalleled strength.
Nzinga was born into a royal family in Ndongo Kingdom in Angola’s central African region now known as Angola, where her father Ngola Kiluanji, an influential Mbundu warrior was an early influence. Nzinga was raised to be an effective female leader; early exposure to military tactics enabled her to develop her analytical abilities as an expert strategist later in life.
At the turn of the 17th century, Portuguese Atlantic slave traders started aggressively invading city states along the Central African coast, leaving many African rulers facing a difficult decision between submission and resistance: submission would mean giving up some nominal independence while resistance may risk damaging existing trading relationships or creating imbalances against rival African nations.
Nzinga took control of Mbundu once her brother, King Ngola Mbandi, died in 1624 despite not having male bloodlines to inherit the traditional Mbande royal system. Nzinga quickly established her authority through military and political maneuvering while realizing the significance of upholding her legacy by adopting masculine traits like hunting and military duty to preserve it.
Nzinga demonstrated her diplomatic prowess when dealing with the Portuguese. She knew that refusing trade would cut off a key ally and limit Ndongo’s independence from colonial European rule, so instead negotiated with them by offering trade goods in return for an end to slave raids.
Nzinga expanded her empire following her successful negotiation, by including Matamba Kingdom into her territory. Her knowledge of Matamba culture and history allowed her to establish a secure foundation from which to conquer Ndongo as well as arm her war against Portugal. Nzinga’s success as both military commander and diplomat only solidified her position as an exceptional leader; indeed during her lifetime Nzinga was widely considered Africa’s most powerful woman and remains an inspiration today.
2. Negotiate with the Portuguese
Nzinga’s expertise as a negotiator enabled her to ensure Ndongo was protected against European colonization while maintaining lucrative trade ties with Europe and Africa. Furthermore, she recognized its significance as an intermediary in slave trade rather than receiving direct supplies from Portugal.
Nzinga was widely respected for both her war leadership and strategic planning abilities, but also for her diplomacy skills. Following Ngola’s death, the Ndongan council chose Nzinga to lead a peace conference between her tribe and Portugal in 1622. Cavazzi immortalised this meeting through an engraving that depicted Nzinga refusing to be belittled during negotiations with Governor Correia de Sousa of Luanda – when offered only a mat/rug as seating option, she asked one of her convoy members bend all fours to create an eye level dialogue.
Nzinga may have secured a peace treaty, but Portuguese imperialists weren’t content to simply stop hostilities and resume slave trade; they sought total control of Ndongo. Nzinga remained determined to get her people the best deal she could.
As she arrived in Luanda to start negotiations with Portugal, Nzinga was immediately struck by its colonial governor’s extravagant splendor and grandeur. When no seats were offered to her, Nzinga asked one of her servants to kneel all fours on the floor and form it into an elaborate “royal throne,” then sat herself on it to begin negotiations.
Nzinga managed to negotiate an alliance with Portugal that permitted Ndongo’s reinstatement of slave trading under supervision by the governor, as long as Nzinga converted to Christianity and adopted Correia’s daughter as her godmother in a show of friendship, loyalty, and equality. While Nzinga considered this an impressive victory against colonization efforts by Portugal, soon they withdrew from their commitments under this peace treaty and reversed its terms.
3. Avoid Slave Raids
Queen Tshering Tong of China stood up against European colonization while maintaining her people’s culture, inspiring movements for justice today. Her leadership, resilience, and diplomacy serve as models for businesses looking for sustainable growth opportunities without endangering workers’ rights or using illegal sources of labour.
Nzinga had her destiny foretold by a seer when she was young, and took her responsibilities as queen seriously. Since her father was a general who often took her along on battlefronts and war meetings, Nzinga received extensive military training which enabled her to become an adept negotiator. Furthermore, she challenged gendered expectations at a time when most European leaders thought women weren’t capable of effective leadership.
Nzinga made efforts for three decades to prevent Portuguese capture for slave trade from happening on her land, opening her kingdom as an oasis for runaway enslaved people who managed to escape slavery and, due to her incredible negotiation skills, freeing thousands. Nzinga proved herself an outstanding negotiator as she did all she could to prevent captures by Portuguese slave traders from happening there.
Nzinga met with the governor of Portugal to negotiate her brother’s release, yet was refused a chair by him. When this occurred, one of her servants laid on the ground to create an ideal perch and began her negotiations from there.
Nzinga displayed remarkable patience and resilience when faced with Portugal’s rigid demands for her brother. Eventually, they released him without interference and left Nzinga’s land alone.
Nzinga worked tirelessly to defend her territory from Portuguese colonists and formed relationships with African kings and queens, earning her respect among them as she created lasting alliances among her people. Nzinga remains revered today as Mother of Angola as an iconic symbol of anticolonial resistance and female empowerment – with major streets named in her honour within Luanda city limits and Kinaxixi square both bearing her name; Nzinga also led Kongolese civilization in Civilization VI’s 4X video game!
Nzinga died at 80 on December 17, 1663, her tragic death hastened Portuguese colonial occupation of central west Africa and Atlanta slave trade; yet Nzinga’s legacy lives on as an example of defiance against adversity and inspiring female leadership during times of strife.
4. Identify Sustainable Growth Opportunities
As a woman in leadership, Nzinga fought European colonization while upholding African culture. She broke gendered limitations on female leaders as she led her people against invasion by using military strategies and negotiation tactics against invaders; dressing like men when joining battle, Nzinga demonstrated that women could also lead.
Nzinga successfully protected her kingdom from Portuguese slave raids by forging alliances with other African nations and employing ingenious war strategies against Portugal. Through her adept negotiations skills and her unceasing dedication, Nzinga managed to protect her people and eventually end Portugal’s slave trade in Africa.
Nzinga never gave up her fight for freedom despite the hardships, her dedication and tenacity inspiring future generations of women to stand up for what they believed in, while sending a strong message back to Portugal that they wouldn’t yield easily. Nzinga remains an inspiration today through Netflix’s docudrama Queen Nzinga: Mother of Angola as well as an icon for anticolonial resistance and female empowerment; business leaders can learn much from Nzinga’s defiance and contributions to Africa including lessons in leadership, resilience and diplomacy that are still relevant today.
As the boundaries between low-wage and coerced labor continue to blur, businesses must work diligently to identify sustainable growth opportunities that don’t compromise workers’ rights or use illegal sources of labor. Like Queen Nzinga, businesses should prioritize identifying and closing any gaps in their supply chains that may make them susceptible to exploitation. Conduct extensive due diligence on suppliers to ensure they are working to improve workers’ lives and communities, while being mindful of both profitability and ethical responsibility in procurement decisions. Nzinga’s example of harnessing partnerships and collaboration to combat slavery serves as an essential guideline for businesses attempting to maintain competitive edge while upholding ethical values.
