Missional review of the matrifocal role of Makhadzi and of Bathsheba in their patriarchal context

Verbum et Ecclesia

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Missional review of the matrifocal role of Makhadzi and of Bathsheba in their patriarchal context
 
Creator Muswubi, Takalani A.
 
Subject Theology (Missiology studies) Bathsheba; queen mother; missional; patriarchal; toxic context; Missio Dei
Description This article reviews the matrifocal role of Makhadzi and Bathsheba in the patriarchal context from a missional point of view. The role and influence of the king’s mother known as the queen mother in the Ancient Near East and the Makhadzi, the king’s aunt, in most African traditional societies is still a phenomenon. The South African legislation is silent about Makhadzi’s role, while the Bible uncovers a hint of Bathsheba’s role in 1 Kings 1 and 2. To narrate the success of the Vhavenda leadership and that of King Solomon without the respective roles and influence of the Makhadzi and Bathsheba, will remain an incomplete story. As such, the question begs an answer: what is so significant about the Makhadzi and Bathsheba, which deserves our attention? Is it relevant in our debate about the role of women within the patriarchal context we live in? In reviewing the roles and influence of the Makhadzi and Bathsheba, within the patriarchal context, this article is set to discuss three aspects from the missional perspective: firstly, the basic role of the Makhadzi, within the Vhavenda leadership; secondly, the critical role of the Makhadzi, within the South African government legislations; and thirdly, the matrifocal role of the Makhadzi in comparison with Bathsheba’s role in Israel.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article adds value to an ongoing debate regarding the matrifocal role of the custom-carrier, Makhadzi, within the traditional leadership and culture of the Vhavenda tribe and that of the queen mother, Bathsheba, within Israel. Despite the challenges within their respective patriarchal context, their respective matrifocal role has an influence on the building of their respective families and communities and beyond.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor Missiology department, Faculty of Theology, Potchefstroom Campus of NWU
Date 2026-03-27
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Missional and literal studies
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ve.v47i1.3722
 
Source Verbum et Ecclesia; Vol 47, No 1 (2026); 7 pages 2074-7705 1609-9982
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3722/9498 https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3722/9499 https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3722/9500 https://verbumetecclesia.org.za/index.php/ve/article/view/3722/9501
 
Coverage South Africa Intercultural context of South Africa and beyond All age groups; genderS, and ethnicity
Rights Copyright (c) 2026 Takalani A. Muswubi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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