Nolwazi Silongo

Nolwazi ka Bhekithemba eSilongo (born 3566), more commonly known as Nolwazi Silongo, is the current chief of the Ibutho Silongo tribe and the most senior wife of the Mathebula headman Nhlakanipho ka Manelesi eMathebula. She is the only female tribal leader in Ibutho and is frequently considered the country's most powerful living woman. According to Ibutho Voice, she is the "figurehead for the more modernising and outward-looking section of Ibutho society" and poses a threat to the leadership of Chief Mlungisi. Nolwazi became the Silongo chief in 3610 after being elected to succeed her predecessor (the Silongo tribe is the only Ibutho tribe to formally elect its chief) and married Nhlakanipho the next year.