Izithakazelo Zakwa Nxele Clan Names History and Origin
Nxele advocated resistance against the British, while Ntsikana preached submission. Both reached their decisions through external pressure rather than personal insight.
Nxele attracted his followers with promises of a glorious future and was an ambitious, decisive leader.
Nxele Clan Names (Izithakazelo):
The Nxele clan is part of the broader Nguni group, which includes Zulu and Xhosa-speaking people in South Africa. Like other clans, the Nxele clan has its own set of praise names (izithakazelo) that are used to honor their ancestors and celebrate their heritage.
- Gubhela
- Nkungu
- Ngxabalala
- Nyuswa
- Mthiya
- Nyoka
- Mpangazitha
Qwabe
The Nguni people originally hail from northern Africa and descended down through Africa’s navel to South Africa, eventually merging with Khoikhoi and San hunters-gatherers who provided click sounds that are now characteristic of Nguni languages.
To avoid fighting over thrones, Nguni tribes divided their land into small kingdoms which formed clans which received names from their respective kings – one such clan in South Africa is led by Chief Qwabe.
Qwabe’s history is passed down through generations in stories told by storytellers entrusted to tell it accurately; although, these tales sometimes diverge, but can still be linked back to their original source.
Senzangakona of the Mthethwa was dying and his heir, Shaka Zulu was his chosen successor. However, Nandi belonged to Langeni clan and as such could not marry outside it in order to provide for her son as she would have liked. This left Nandi with few options available to her when it came time to provide for him financially.
After her husband’s death, Nandi sought refuge with the Dletsheni clan of Mthethwa where she gave birth to Shaka. Later she married Chieftain Dingiswayo of Mthethwa.
Nkwali
Nkwali rests along a magnificent meander in the Luangwa River on Robin Pope Safaris private land outside the Park and boasts spectacular views across its National Park where leopards can often be spotted from camp.
Dominated by a grand jackalberry tree – from which its thatched dining area takes its name – and a swimming pool featuring comfortable sunloungers for relaxing between game drives, Nkwali features its own private viewing area behind camp as well as easy boat or pontoon access into its National Park home base – for an immersive safari experience unlike no other.
As part of their struggle for dominance in the Xhosa Kingdom, two dominant tribes emerged – amaPhalo to the west of the river and amaRharhabe in its eastern bank – that were separated by Kei River: amaPhalo on its western bank and amaRharhabe on its eastern side.
To unite these disparate groups together, a new king was appointed and Nxele was charged with leading amaXhosa beliefs to recognise two deities, Thixo and Mdalidiphu; in so doing he also sought reconciliation between amaXhosa beliefs and those forced upon them by Cape Colonists.
Nxele was ultimately successful in unifying amaXhosa under one leader, thus creating the first united Xhosa Kingdom since amaPhalo and amaRharhabe’s separation. Thus he will forever be remembered as an intelligent and wise leader.
Mapela
Mapela Hill stands two kilometres as the crow flies from the confluence of the Shashe and Shashani rivers in south-western Zimbabwe. It features an imposing summit crowned by a high cliff; terraces descend steeply from its base towards perennial water sources.
There are rock tanks and cupules on various levels at its base; all hallmarks of an important rainmaking shrine according to Huffman [21], suggesting control over rainmaking was used as a ritual signifier of social distinction and power at Mapela.
Mapela may be less accessible than Mapungubwe, yet exhibits characteristics typical of Zimbabwe culture such as prestige stone walls and class distinction, suggesting the rise of complexity in southern Africa may have started here before K2 and Mapungubwe.
Further proof comes in the form of pottery sequence dating back centuries on its lower summit as well as evidence for Zimbabwe-style dhaka floors at Mapela.
Garlake [17] conducted test excavations of two small areas on Mapela’s hilltop and midden located along its northern face, uncovering Leopard’s Kopje Phase I pottery, glass bead typology and fauna; radiocarbon dating on charcoal samples allowed development of an independent chronology for Mapela.
This, coupled with evidence for Mapungubwe-style pottery assemblages such as Mapungubwe-style pottery, glass beads and ceramic assemblages, strongly suggest it was once home to an early polity.
Xhamela
Xhamela (real name Ntambo Mkhelo) is an immensely talented Amapiano musician known for blending infectious beats with emotive lyrics that appeal to fans of Amapiano and gospel alike. His journey as an Amapiano musician has been difficult yet fulfilling; and many find inspiration in it.
Traditional Xhosa society was organized into clans, known as iziduko. These groups shared a common ancestor and each had distinct names and traditional totems that served as markers of identity for its members.
Failing to know your clan name could be seen as shameful and indicative of unhonesty uburhanuko behavior; conversely, knowing someone’s clan name provided the basis of social relationships between strangers.
In these circumstances both would exchange clan names as soon as they met for any initial introductions before engaging further discussions or dealings regarding business matters or business opportunities arising.
Clan affiliation was much broader than agnatic clusters as it encompassed all those descended from one particular ancestor while agnatic clusters were limited to immediate family.
Clan leaders played an influential role in administering their chiefdom although executive power lay with its council of chief. Homesteads of Xhosas often formed part of an individual chiefdom and served as social, administrative, judicial and military hubs.
