Mthembu clan names Xhosa
UMthembu, uThukela, uQhudeni, uMkhubukeni, uGoza, uMpafane, uMthembu obhuzuzu, odla amathibane az ‘indlala iwile.
Royalty from Mthembu last name
Mthembu kaMbulali (Royal Founder)
Founding ancestor of the AbaThembu nation, grandson of Mbulali. He settled with his people in Mbabane, Swaziland, and later moved to kwaMsinga in Natal. He had two sons, Ndilo and Mvelase (also known as Qudeni), and founded the tribe known as Abathembu BakwaMvelase. His descendants would go on to establish the Thembu Kingdom, one of the most significant Xhosa federations in the Transkeian territories [citation:2].
King Nxeko kaNtande (First Legitimate King)
The first legitimate king of abaThembu, ruling during the 16th century. He led the migration from Dedesi to Msana in the Mthatha district and was responsible for assimilating various fragments from tribes such as amaBomvana, amaVundle, amaMpondomise, and amaMfengu to build his kingdom. His reign unified the Thembu people and established the royal lineage that continues to this day [citation:6].
Chief Ngxeko/Nxekwa (Kingdom Unifier)
Under the reign of Ngxeko, the Thembu emerged as a unified people. He united clans living in Thembuland into a single political entity, owing allegiance to the Thembu royal family, or “Hala Mvelase.” This unification laid the foundation for the independent Thembu Kingdom that would exist until British conquest in the 19th century [citation:2].
House of Dalindyebo (Contemporary Royalty)
Recent Thembu kings, including Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo and Sabata Jonguhlanga Dalindyebo, took the surname Dalindyebo after a 19th-century king. The Thembu royal house continues to be recognized as traditional leaders in South Africa. Famous Thembus include Nelson Mandela, whose father was a reigning nobleman from a junior branch of the Madiba clan of kings, and Walter Sisulu [citation:2].
