Regina Twala

Regina Gelana Twala (1908–1968) was a feminist activist, writer, teacher, researcher, evangelist, and liberation leader in South Africa and eSwatini.

Twala became a prolific researcher, writer and political activist, helping co-found the Swaziland Progressive Party. She was also the only female candidate to run for a seat in Swaziland's first Legislative Council in 1963.

Biography

Early life Twala was born Regina Dorris Mazibuko in 1908 in eNdaleni, South Africa into a Zulu family. She was raised on a rural Methodist mission station in eNdaleni. Her mother, Muriel Majozi, worked as domestic worker in Durban. She then pursued a graduate degree at the university, where her thesis focused on African beadwork.

Career Twala became a prolific researcher, particularly on women's issues and native customs in southern Africa. She also founded a library specifically for use by women. On her death, she left behind four unpublished book manuscripts.

She was a candidate for Swaziland's first Legislative Council in the 1964 Swazi general election, running as an independent in the Manzini constituency. She did not win a seat.

In addition, Twala was a pioneer of Pentecostal worship in the region, an active member of the evangelical Christian movement. She is credited with introducing the Assemblies of God denomination to the area that is now eSwatini. The couple was close friends with Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.