Qwabe Clan (Meaning: ‘Descendant of Qwabe’)

History: The surname Qwabe is common among the Nguni-speaking peoples of Southern Africa, particularly the Zulu and Swazi communities. It signifies a connection to the Qwabe lineage. Notable individuals with this surname include:

• Thulani Qwabe: A South African footballer born in 1990, known for his skills as a midfielder.

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• 
  Ntokozo Qwabe (Legal)
  Lawyer and Rhodes Scholar, co-founder of Rhodes Must Fall movement at Oxford.
• 
  Mzonjani Michael Qwabe (Historical)
  Name recorded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) archives.

• Ntokozo Qwabe (Legal) – South African lawyer and Rhodes Scholar. Co-founder of the Rhodes Must Fall movement at Oxford University. Holds degrees from UKZN, UCT, and Oxford.
• Felokwakhe Qwabe (Community) – Father of Ntokozo Qwabe, a school caretaker from Oyaya, Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal who raised 13 children, with Ntokozo being the first to attend university.

The kingdom thrived in the 18th century as “one of the most ancient and famous tribes in Natal and Zululand.” At its peak, the amaQwabe occupied central KwaZulu-Natal, from beneath the Amandawe and Ngoye Hills, south of the Mhlathuze River, up to the Nkandla forest, and between the Mhlathuze and Tugela Rivers .

Under his leadership, the Qwabe kingdom had already expanded control over parts of Natal south of the Thukela River. His kingdom was characterized by seven large villages, each headed by an important member from the ruling lineage. He had the authority to form women regiments (isigodlo), a privilege only given to senior powerful kings such as Dingiswayo of the Mthethwa and Zwide of the Ndwandwe .

The Qwabe royal lineage remains an important traditional institution in KwaZulu-Natal .

Following his father’s death, Qwabe became king and built a new homestead called eMthandeni beneath the Ngoye hills, which served as the center of his kingdom. He left his younger brother Zulu to rule over a few people who remained at their father’s estate.

The kingdom thrived in the 18th century as one of the most ancient and famous tribes in Natal and Zululand. At its peak, the amaQwabe occupied central KwaZulu-Natal, from beneath the Amandawe and Ngoye Hills, south of the Mhlathuze River, up to the Nkandla forest, and between the Mhlathuze and Tugela Rivers.

Under his leadership, the Qwabe kingdom had already expanded control over parts of Natal south of the Thukela River. His kingdom was characterized by seven large villages, each headed by an important member from the ruling lineage. He had the authority to form women regiments, a privilege only given to senior powerful kings such as Dingiswayo of the Mthethwa and Zwide of the Ndwandwe.

The Qwabe royal lineage remains an important traditional institution in KwaZulu-Natal.