Izithakazelo zakwa Amampondo Clan Names History and Origin

Clans are groups of people connected by history, culture and lineage who share similar surnames derived from an ancestor house.

amaMampondo is the name of three sons of Ntose: Dosini, Ngwanya and Mpinga – as well as of an independent clan belonging to Mpondomise kingdom.

Amampondo Clan Names (Iziduko/Izithakazelo)

The Amampondo people are one of the Nguni groups primarily located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Below are some of the clan names and praises associated with the Amampondo:

• Faku
• Gwadiso
• Gwayana
• Hlamandana
• Ntose
• Ngqungqushe
• Tobe
• Ndayeni
• Gungubele
• Mkhondwana
• Xesibe
• Mphephethwa

Dosini

Dosini is one of the clans to originate from Mpondomise’s aba-mbo nation, from which Mpondomise was birthed. These individuals, known as Mpondomise people, include clans from both groups as well as those that pay tribute to its kingdom; each clan name indicates which dynasties or cadet branches came directly from its founder king.

Dosini was a son from Jola’s senior house and had been designated by them as their heir-apparent, until King and councillors removed him and installed half-brother Cirha as his replacement as successor.

Elders from Mpondomise nation felt it would be unwise to install a man who had married into Khoisan family as their king, as Dosini had received an unjustifiable throne which didn’t belong to him.

The panel also heard that upholding Dosini’s expulsion would have had serious repercussions for Mpondomise as a people and could possibly never again be accepted by government as a kingdom. Furthermore, they would lose all their wealth and property which would be devastating for any nation and could even result in civil war.

Ngwanya

The Ngwanya clan is one of three sons of King Cabe, the first ruler to cross Mthamvuna River into South Africa and settle. Primarily land-holding clan, their name comes from their mother’s last name; alternatively known as Mpinga or Ngcwina clan.

As with the other Mpondomise clans, Mpondomise clans consist of both his descendants and those from Aba-Mbonambi Ma-Mbo Clan. Although Mpondo and his brother both had twin sons; debate rages as to who was their elder sibling; regardless, one thing remains certain: Their father was King Thole loMpondomise (thole loMpondomise).

Ngwanya also shares links to the Hlubi clan; according to legend, they were one of the first Xhosa clans to migrate to Mbembesi and settle within its boundaries. Nkwali, as part of Nghlabatheki clan which developed through farming and trading activities became rich; from this branch came Bhukula and Maphela clan names which can be translated as meaning “cockroach”.

The Mpongomise have intermarried with San people for some time, as evidenced by their language which features clicks as well as clan names with grandmotherly references (Ngcwina and Ngwanya clans are such examples). This inter-marriage can also be found within their traditions: these clans were named for grandmothers rather than parents.

Mpinga

Mpinga is the name of an Aba-Mbo clan from South Africa. The term derives its name from September, which was an ancient Mpondo month and when Pleiades appeared, signaling the start of a new year for them.

At this point, Mpondomise nation was at its height of power; however, this was short lived as King Mhlontlo was charged with killing a Qumbu magistrate and two white policemen during Mpondomise Revolt of 1880-81 and stripped of royal status by Union of South Africa in 1904.

Even without their monarchy, AmaMpondomise still refer to themselves as a nation and use this designation for clan names that honor their ancestors’ dynasties and branches of descent.

AmaMpondomise are primarily a clan-based society and take immense pride in the honour associated with each clan name system. Clan name systems serve to distinguish AmaMpondomise as distinct groups within southern Africa, so understanding their importance will allow you to appreciate and respect this distinct culture fully.

Ngcwina

Clans are groups of people belonging to the same race or ethnicity who share similar cultural traditions and are identified with each other by their clan name, which typically identifies its founder or home location. Most often given at birth and passed down from generation to generation; some families even possess multiple clan names.

South Africa is home to numerous clans, some of which remain relatively obscure as to their roots and history. Some clans, however, such as Nxontsa, Mlatsheni, Ngqatyana and Mbathane can trace back centuries and are very influential within South African society; such as found in southern parts of the country where these powerful groups can be found.

Clans in South Africa are commonly known as kwibhoz. Although its exact meaning remains uncertain, this term likely refers to their areas of residence – some being very fertile with wealthy populations, while other regions such as luhlobo are home to some of the largest diamond mines worldwide.

An impressive aspect of the Ngcwina clan is their closeness with Nqomlomo tribe – one of southern Africa’s oldest and most influential clans.