Ntombela, Ntuli, Mdletshe, Ndlovu

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]

Keabetswe Ntuli (Finance)
Head of Sanlam Private Wealth, Johannesburg region. Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with BAcc(Hons). Founding CEO and director of Africa Collective Investments. Independent non-executive and chairperson of audit committee for Cloud Atlas Investing. Board member at Equites Property Fund Limited. Strong technical skills in investments, accounting, governance, risk and assurance. Passionate about cultivating young entrepreneurs, design thinking and innovation. [citation:10]

Ngomane Mdletshe (Traditional Prime Minister)
Loyal advisor to King Shaka Zulu who was appointed as the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation. His loyalty to the king established a centuries-long relationship between the Mdletshe clan and the Zulu royal house. Unfortunately, King Dingane did not favour the Mdletshes and there is evidence that he killed Ngomane’s son after the War of Gongqo.

Mfusi Mdletshe (Royal Loyalist)
During the reign of King Mpande in 1840, Mfusi Mdletshe demonstrated loyalty to the king and was rewarded with a piece of land in Nhlwathi, northern KwaZulu-Natal. His service continued the Mdletshe clan’s tradition of supporting the Zulu monarchy.

Msushwana Mdletshe (Royal Companion)
Close companion to King Cetshwayo who reigned with his assistance. Both men were the same age, and Msushwana played a significant role during King Cetshwayo’s reign. When the king was arrested and fell ill, he asked the nation to protect his son King Dinuzulu. Msushwana’s grandson was one of those who protected the future king, hiding in the bush with him for two years.

Nogotshwa Mdletshe (Royal Advisor)
Father of praise singer Buzetsheni Mdletshe who played a significant role during the reigns of King Bhekuzulu and King Zwelithini, continuing the family’s tradition of service to the Zulu monarchy.

Buzetsheni Mdletshe (Royal Praise Singer)
King Zwelithini and King Misuzulu’s praise singer who first became the late king’s imbongi at age 19 in 1974. He published a book titled “Inyosi” documenting the history of the Mdletshe clan and their relationship with the Zulu royal house, which began during King Shaka’s reign and continues to the present day.

Inkosi Bonga Nkanyiso Mdletshe (1955-2024)
Inkosi (chief) of the Mdletshe tribe in Hlabisa, a lifetime appointment he took up in 1987. Born on 15 May 1955, he matriculated in 1975 at King Bhekuzulu College. He worked as a clerk in the offices of the Hlabisa magistrate from 1976 to 1986 before becoming chief. He represented Hlabisa in the KwaZulu Legislative Assembly in 1992 and served as Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services in the KwaZulu government until 1994. He earned his BJuris degree from the University of Zululand in 1996. He served as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature from 1996 to 2014 and was Speaker of the legislature from 1998 to 2004. He passed away in 2024.

Ntuli People (Chiefdom)
The Ntuli people were a Zulu clan in South Africa that held their own chiefdom title. They lived along the bank of the Thukela River in KwaZulu-Natal. Under the leadership of Godide kaNdlela and Mavumengwana kaNdlela, sons of Ndlela kaSompisi, they played a major part in the Zulu counter-raid at Middle Drift in June 1879 and in the Battle of Isandlwana. After the partition of Zululand, they were placed in John Robert Dunn’s chiefdom.

Pitika Ntuli (Contemporary Royal Connection)
Member of the larger amaZulu community, and also an artist, poet and historian. He spoke about the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, noting that the king gave nine farms to the Ntuli people, demonstrating the ongoing relationship between the Zulu royal house and the Ntuli clan.