Izithakazelo Zakwa Mdluli Clan Names History and Origin
Mdluli people are known for their patience and determination; they don’t take shortcuts and strive for excellence in all they do. Furthermore, they are exceptionally good at organisation; this explains why the second group sent to spy on them did not attack them directly.
Clans are organized along the matrilineal lineage. Every village has a predominant clan that represents who first settled there.
Mdluli Clan Names
- Mdluli
- Swazi
- Ndebele
- Mthethwa
- Ndlovu
- Khumalo
- Ntuli
- Mthembu
- Ngcobo
- Nxumalo
- Cele
- Dlamini
- Gumede
- Shabalala
- Zungu
- Mkhize
- Majozi
- Hlongwane
- Zwane
- Sithole
Bhekiswako
Bhekiswako are a Mdluli clan living in Namibia’s Namaqualand region. This clan are direct descendants of Captain Hendrik Witbooi of Khowesin who was killed during battle with German forces on 29 October 1905 and they dominate all other tribes within this area.
One can assume that members of this tribe possess qualities such as determination and patience that make them excellent warriors. Furthermore, Bhekiswako people also revere a higher power and take great care to safeguard their own family units.
One tale depicts a situation wherein a man was sent on an expedition, only to remain there and not return immediately, until eventually discovered by another group who did not attack him and eventually became known as Bhekiswako (pronounced Bo-ki-swak-ko). This shows their strength in difficult circumstances.
Sikhandzisa
Mdluli people tend to be very precise in their attention to details. They do not take short cuts when doing things and will never give up easily on something that requires struggle; therefore a Mdluli man will strive hard to make their marriage work, not giving up even on those women that may prove more challenging than expected.
Mdluli people hail from Gatjeni in South Africa. Their totem animals include elephants, buffaloes and cattle. Madlebenkhomo (ears of a cow) and Mvulane (rain) are two praiseworthy attributes associated with their clan. Mdluli people have large ears which help them hear distant sounds clearly.
On the basis of responses from twenty respondents or informants, a comparative analysis was performed between Khumalo and Msogwaba settlements. Patterns in clan name usage and praises were observed – not only establishing clan identities but also paying allegiance to other chieftaincies as allegiance pledges, cultural activities and national activities were taking place simultaneously with these clan names and praises being exchanged among different clans.
Matsebula
The Matsebula family is one of the most prominent and well-recognized groups within Eswatini’s Kingdom, having descended from Nguni-speaking clans that first settled there during the fifteenth century and eventually created what is now Eswatini.
Sebenzile Matsebula is an avid disability rights activist and the Executive Director of Motswako Office Solutions, which has been recognized by the government as an outstanding contributor to Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). She also is mother to two grown sons.
Matsebula hails from Barberton in Eastern Transvaal where she contracted polio at 10 months of age, suffering the loss of use in both lower limbs as a result. Since then she has gone on to become an accomplished academic and public speaker on empathy-related topics.
Globalization has caused surnames to spread far beyond their countries of origin. For instance, African surnames can often be found in Europe or Oceania and vice versa; one notable case being Matsebula Surname which most frequently occurs in Swaziland but can also be found in eight other nations worldwide.
Mkhatjwa
The Mkhatjwa clan boasts an illustrious past and is known for their bravery and strength. Their totem animal is the elephant, representing strength and power. Dating back to its establishment by Zwide kaMntungwa in the early 1800s, their descendants continue to thrive today.
Zwide took great steps after Dingiswayo’s death to increase his military power and expand his borders, in 1818 destroying Mthethwa Kingdom before overrunning Khumalo Kingdom; also killing Mashobana kaMangethe, its ruler; his son Mzilikazi managed to escape Ndwandwe’s control and find sanctuary with Shaka.
After Shaka defeated Zwide, Mkhatjwa refused to join his kingdom and fled along the eastern foothills of Lubombo Mountains to the upper Tembe river before moving further north and into Bileni where he battled, defeated, and subjugated indigenous communities such as vaNgomane, vaShongonono, vaTshwa, vaChopi, and vaShona before being attacked by Shaka and later dying during battle near Mkhuze river in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Mkhonta
Mkhonta family names can be found all around the globe. Surnames often travel far beyond their country of origin when people migrate between regions; consequently, more dense concentrations may appear in certain nations than others.
Mkhonta was born into a traditional homestead and began herding cattle with his father at 10 years old before enrolling at college to study writing and literature. Since then, he has published short stories as well as radio dramas; working at hospitals and churches.
He has recently been elected into Eswatini’s 12th Parliament representing Zombodze Emuva constituency and won primary elections by defeating Muzi Kunene – previously an MP in 11th Parliament – who ran as his challenger. Already receiving support from community members and working hard on expanding opportunities for young people.
Magagula believes Mkhonta’s election as an MP will give youth more agency in participating in the legislative process and hopes that she and the other newly-elected MPs can assist youth with finding employment to escape poverty.
