Izithakazelo Zakwa Mzizi Clan Names History and Origin
Globalization has allowed people with similar surnames to live all around the globe, giving rise to instances in which African clan names can be found in Europe or Indian ones in Oceania.
Mzizi clan names are associated with amaHlubi whose Kingdom lies under the control of Dlamini Royal House. Additionally, several families that descended from amaHlubi but hold leadership roles within its Kingdom exist as well.
Mzizi Clan Names (Izithakazelo):
The Mzizi clan, like many others in the Nguni-speaking communities, has a unique set of praise names (izithakazelo) that honor their ancestors and celebrate their heritage.
- Guliwe
- Mntungwa
- Ndaba
- Mabuya
- Shandu
- Ngwabayini
AmaMpondo
AmaMpondo are a Southern Bantu group native to South Africa and are represented by their kingdom which began around 500 AD in Ciskei and Transkei regions, where their King, locally known as Kumkani reigns supreme.
The origins of AmaMpondo people can be traced back to Mpondomise kaMpondo and his twin brother Mpondomise, after he killed a lion without providing its skin as is customary.
This caused tensions between them that led him to relocate from his father’s land elsewhere and establish what would become known as Mpondomise Kingdom.
Modern times have witnessed the Mpondomise Kingdom split into two royal houses. On one hand lies Ndimakude great palace in Flagstaff while Nyandeni, located in Libode enjoyed autonomous sovereignty under their title of King for several years.
Fikile Mbalula hails from this clan. Enoch Sontonga wrote “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, published by this clan in 1995. They are widely recognized for supporting ANC and liberation efforts – in 2017, Fikile joined other traditional leaders and politicians in paying live tribute to Mama Winnie Mandela, an ANC Stalwart and Freedom Fighter who passed away recently.
AmaXesibe
AmaXesibe nation engaged in several wars against other nations and its leaders were legendary warriors. Recently, National Heritage Council (NHC) donated R100,000 for this nation to use towards heritage activities.
Somadoda Fikeni accepted it on behalf of AmaXesibe at Nkosi Zwelakhe Dalasile’s Nkondlo Great Place in Nkosi Zwelakhe Dalasile.
AmaXesibe is an honorific name derived from the abaMbo dynasty and their twin sons Mpondomise and Xesibe. This family name identifies someone by their lineage or stock born out of the house of the king; when people refer to themselves by this clan name it often denotes royalty status.
Clan names play an integral part in Xhosa culture; when someone is being praised, their clan name will typically come up first before their actual name. When women marry, they typically take on their husband’s surname while keeping their own clan name (usually adding “Ma” as prefix).
An impressive monument has been unveiled to honour Chief Fikeni, one of the founding leaders of AmaXesibe in South Africa during the 1800s. Along with his wives – Manguse, Mgxumisa, Mamoya, Mqanda and Mfengu.
Chief Fikeni played an instrumental role in upliftment efforts within AmaXesibe through Christianity and education, ultimately contributing to bringing greater prosperity for their community members.
AmaQwathi
The Qwathi tribe is one of the most influential in South Africa. A member of the Nguni family of tribes, their origins remain uncertain but it’s thought they migrated from EmaXesibe in Zimbabwe to Thembuland before 1700.
Their clan names include Nondzaba, Mbathane and Tshomela ka Matsho; additionally they’re often referred to as Gcaleka due to the Gcaleka King who was from their Qwabe clan; thus taking on their title and taking on its title from Eastern Cape King who held higher than them both titles simultaneously.
Clan Qwathi participated in the Anti-Colonial Revolt of 1880 alongside other Nguni tribes like Mpondo and Gcina clans from Nguni tribe. Subsequently, Qwathi rebelled against colonists for independence led by Mhlontlo of amaMpondomise with Gecelo and Dalasile from amaGcina as well as Stokwe from amaQwathi clan.
This revolt was spearheaded by Mhlontlo of amaMpondomise alongside Gecelo from amaGcina as well as Stokwe from amaQwathi clans from Nguni tribe.
After Prince Azenathi Dalindyebo was appointed acting king of abaThembu, it has paved the way for an elaborate royal wedding between these nations.
Over the weekend, representatives from abaThembu and amaQwathi met at Ncorha Flats near Cofimvaba for lobola negotiations to complete this agreement, complete with singing and ululation by families involved – traditionally, for any monarch to become fully recognized among his people, they must first find someone suitable as his or her bride before fully taking up this position.
Khonjwayo
Khonjwayo is a prominent South African clan hailing from Western Cape province. Its members are renowned for their strength and power as well as commitment to upholding cultural identity and respecting one another; not to mention a sense of humor among them all!
Origins of this clan remain somewhat mysterious, yet it is believed they are descended from Khoena tribes who migrated southward from Limpopo and Gariep regions through Eastern Cape, Western Cape seaboards as well as Cape Peninsula into Cape Peninsula by way of Limpopo and Gariep regions in South Africa to Eastern Cape seaboards, Western Cape seaboards as well as Cape Peninsula by 800AD.
When an African kingdom developed around Mapangubwe river with mixtures of San and Khoena formations down south as far as Gqunukwebe regions of Southern Cape.
Sarili led this formation and engaged in frequent battles against Cape colonists while trying to assert sovereignty in what is today southern South Africa. As its king, he proved both skilled diplomat and highly popular with his people.
As an effective military commander his troops became known as some of the finest sharpshooters in southern Africa; furthermore his son Nomsa became well known for composing South Africa’s national anthem “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, believed by many as where this clan got its name from.
