She is one of only two female hompas to have retained her traditional position during a period when tribal leadership was masculinized by the South African government.
[3] Sivute, for his part, soon came to covet the throne, and began waging physical attacks on his sister's retinue while publicly undermining her.
On one occasion, after hearing of an assault upon an attendant, Kanuni began to fight Sivute with a knobkerrie, eventually winning the day.
Sivute complained to senior policeman, Luben Manuere, who in turn handed off his reports to Native Commissioner Harold Eedes.
The reports suggested that the Kwangali preferred a male ruler, and consequently in 1940 Eedes removed Kanuni from her position, replacing her with Sivute.