Izithakazelo Zakwa Makhubela Clan Names History and Origin
The Makhubela clan is one of South Africa’s five biggest families and celebrates their culture, heritage and unity through an annual Makhubela Day held recently in Nwaxinyamani village.
At this event, several traditional leaders were brought together, such as Hosi Thomas Duvula, Traditional Cllr Moses Maluleke and Hosi GE Makhubele. Additionally, it condemned any forms of racism.
Makhubela Clan Names (Izithakazelo):
The Makhubela clan, part of the broader Nguni-speaking communities, has its own set of praise names (Izithakazelo) that are used to honor their ancestors and cultural heritage.
- Makhubela
- Sikhwivhilu
- Masinga
- Mlambo
- Mathumba
- Tshivhase
- Maphoto
Makhuvele
Makhuvele is a family clan which can be found throughout Southern Africa, from Mozambique and Zimbabwe to Swaziland. They were originally part of Mhlahlandlela Tsonga tribe; over time however they have become integrated with other Tsonga tribes.
There are various legends and superstitions surrounding this clan. One myth states that Makhuvele, its first leader, was an expert diviner who taught hundreds of men and women how to become diviners themselves; also, Makhuvele was believed to be brother to Xivambu.
Makhuvele may have been subsumed into other Tsonga tribes, yet still holds many traditions belonging to Hlanganu tribe and is recognized as being rightful owners of Kruger National Park. Their ancestors lived between Delagoa Bay and Saint Lucia Bay.
Tsonga tribes are organized around hierarchical patrilineal exogamic clans that are headed by fathers. Children belong to their father’s lineage; three types of family relationships exist: Kweru (paternal grandfather and great-grandfather), Mamona (first and second cousins) and Kokwana (maternal uncles); children belonging to one mother are known as Kodwa.
Mugwena
Mugwena clan is an elite warrior family known for their expert arrow-throwing techniques and healing capabilities. Additionally, its members are recognized healers who train hundreds of diviners – creating an effective combination that has led them to great accomplishments over time. Mugwena matches perfectly with first names beginning with L, C or H for maximum effect.
There are various theories as to where and how Mugwena came from, though most agree on one central idea.
They believe they are descendants of a Ronga clan which left Ngome in Northern KwaZulu and Lydenburg district in Mpumalanga for Southern Mozambique sometime between 1600-1750 – at roughly the same time when Vahlengwe va Xiviri (Pure Hlengwe’s) of Cawuke clan left North KwaZulu for Mozambique where they adopted Nhlave subdialect of Tsonga dialect.
Other historians claim that the Mugwena clan is comprised of multiple tribes that migrated from western Kenya into Mozambique. Additionally, they believe that Mugwena consisted of both Tsonga and Bantu individuals with different origins.
Hulela
The Makhubele clan has become a source of great pride to thousands of its members through cultural and heritage celebrations, encouraging philanthropy amongst members.
On Thursday 12 September 2017 hundreds of people from all over South Africa gathered in Nwaxinyamani village, Limpopo to mark the fourth Annual Makhubele Day and Prof Samuel Risenga spoke out at this event warning children against watching TV all day long.
Instead doing something physical instead – like taking regular walks! At this event Prof Samuel Risenga issued warning that sitting all day was unhealthy – advising children against staying put before sitting watching television all day and encouraging regular walks during this event!
At this celebration, Metkayina leaders took part in a ceremony called First Breath that symbolizes their strong link to water as their second home, as well as new life emerging from its depths.
Kebatenne Hulela is an associate professor at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She obtained her Ph.D. from Iowa State University’s Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. Kebatenne is extremely thankful for the time she spent there as well as for hosting by Dr. David Kwaw-Mensah – she considers him her role model!
Vatsonga
Vatsonga is a cultural and linguistic group in Southern Africa composed of various clans such as Bilankulu, Yingwana, and Hlengwe people.
Though some foreign cultural elements have been adopted into their customs and traditions, Vatsonga are frequently misunderstood by other groups especially in South Africa and Zimbabwe and this can lead to misrepresentations of their history and culture.
Vatonga have many idiomatic expressions to illustrate the complexity of marriage, such as Vukati Vandza hi Mbilu which means “The path to marital success is paved with hardship”. These sayings reflect their belief that women must endure suffering in order to earn respect from their husbands.
Vatsonga people are spread out across borders and nations and often considered minorities due to their ancestry and movement during and post Mfecane period.
Therefore, it is vital that they come together as a community and establish an understanding of who they are in order to overcome obstacles they encounter in daily life and improve lives overall.
