In Loving Memory of our Mother of Love, Nothando Zulu

Nothando Zulu was a small yet mighty woman, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, a Master storyteller, and a Black queen. She was the answer to the question posed by her very young great-grandchild, embodying love and strength in every sense. Nothando was the loving wife of Vusumuzi Zulu and the birth mother of Makeda Zulu and Keke Zulu. She transitioned to the realm of the ancestors on September 11, 2023.

Born as Daisy Stephens to Charlie and Daisy Lena Stephens in rural Franklin, Southampton County, Virginia, on December 3, 1944, Nothando was the youngest and last surviving of her six siblings. She grew up on her father’s farm, instilled with the values of hard work and self-sufficiency. Her childhood was a testament to the resilience of her family, where she learned to till the land and raise animals.

Nothando also inherited her mother’s tenacity and fire, and she carried this spirit throughout her life. She once defied racial injustice as a young child, standing up to a school bus filled with white children shouting racial slurs. This act of bravery exemplified her unwavering commitment to justice and her understanding of the supremacy of God.

After the passing of her mother, Nothando moved to Minnesota to live with her older brother, James Stephens. She graduated from Marshall University High School in Minneapolis and pursued higher education at St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota, majoring in theater and early childhood studies. Her career path led her to serve as a drug rehabilitation counselor, and she spent much of her professional life as a program director for the Ruth Hawkins YWCA in North Minneapolis at North Commons Park.

Nothando’s love for her community was boundless. In 1968, she met and fell in love with Vusumuzi Zulu, a man who shared her passion for community service. Their union, which spanned over five decades, was a testament to love and patience. Together, they raised children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, leaving a lasting legacy of love and care.

Nothando’s passion for acting led her to participate in several plays at Penumbra Theater. However, it was her profound love for African and African American oral storytelling that truly defined her. She co-founded the Black Storytellers Alliance and became a nationally renowned Master Storyteller. Nothando believed that sharing our history through oral tradition was of paramount importance, equipping us with the power and resolve to face life’s challenges. Her storytelling touched the lives of thousands, carrying the fire that was uniquely hers.

This Earth was blessed to hold the special light called Nothando Zulu for 78 years. She was a gift from the Creator, unlike any other.

Words cannot fully capture her impact on her family and community, as her service encompassed youth development, arts, environmental education, recovery, and faith. She helped create community gardens, imparting the lessons of her upbringing on her father’s farm to others.

Nothando’s ascent to the realm of our Ancestors leaves a profound void in our hearts. Her motherly love changed all who knew her for the better, and we thank the Creator for allowing us to experience His love through her. As she joins the esteemed Master Storytellers who came before her in the village of the ancestors, we believe she will continue to share her incredible stories with the Creator Himself.

We, the living, pledge to ensure that her stories live on, passed down to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Farewell to the Black Queen Mother of Love, Nothando Zulu, as she takes her place among the ancestors.

Be It Resolved, we embrace our libations as our Mother of Love is welcomed, accepted, and embraced by the village of the ancestors.

In the depths of night’s embrace, she reigns above,
The Black Mother of Love, a celestial dove.
Her presence, a tapestry of stars in the sky,
Guiding hearts with compassion, never asking why.

Her skin, as rich as midnight, a canvas so divine,
In her loving arms, all sorrows intertwine.
A tender touch, a soothing word, she imparts,
Healing wounds, mending souls, with love that never departs.

Nothando Zulu, the legacy of your love will forever shine bright in our hearts.