History of Ndlovu surname

Ndlovu is the most popular surname among African tribes meaning Elephant, one of the huge animal in the land. All African surnames have Praises known as IZITHAKAZELO. Thus Ndlovu praises are as follows; Gatsheni, Boyabenyathi, Buyasonga buyasombuluka. Mpongo kaZingelwayo! Nkomo zidl’ ekhaya, Ngokweswel’ umelusi. Zaze zeluswa intombi uDemazane. Nina bakwakhumbula amagwala. Nina bakwasihlangu sihle. Mthiyane! Ngokuthiy’ amadod’ emazibukweni. Nina bakwaMdubusi! Gambushe! ka Genge elidla umuthi lilodwa, amanye amagenge edla ehlanganyela. Nina baka Silwa ngoswana, Isihlangu sisele eMampeni. Ndlangamanla!

Ndlovu in Venda they say Ndou. is Sotho, Tlou. Shona-Zhou. You also find it in Swahili, in east an west Africa. So all these are Ndlovu yakwaMthombeni tribe which falls under kalanga tribe within the Ndebele nation. Ndebele is a nation made up of various tribes that were incoporated by by King Mzilikazi. INdlovu yakwaGatsheni is part of that tribe.

So through Mfecane various tribes lefr Zululand and headed for central Africa. Some settled in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Mthwakazi etc. All these tribes carried elements of the original Ndlovu but due to circumstances changed their surnames to suit local conditions, eg Ndou (indlovu in Venda).

Popular people from Ndlovu last name

July Ndlovu (Mining/Finance)
Zimbabwean-born CEO of Thungela Resources, one of South Africa’s most successful coal producers. Began career as graduate trainee engineer earning R1,500 per month, rose through ranks at Anglo American Platinum. Led Thungela following its demerger from Anglo American in 2021. Under his leadership, company grew from R3 billion market cap to returning R22 billion to shareholders in four years. Earned R59.79 million in 2024. Born to peasant farming parents in rural Zimbabwe, holds degree in metallurgical engineering from University of Zimbabwe. [citation:1]