This website a work in progress! we belive that there is alot of information that is sitting in rondavals and in peoples memories, we would like to change this if you know something from history or a story that has been passed down around fires we will include it on our site, we do our best to verfy the information we put on our site, and if you come across some missing or incorrect information we would like to know. we need your input.
The Bantu people of South Africa comprise of 4 main different grouping.
- The Nguni people
- The Sotho Tswana people
- Shangana–Tsonga people
- The Venda people
We dive into depth on each group, from origins, totems, foke-tales and even idioms. we will look at the land and the correct names for the different land marks they have lived in harmony with for many years,
1. Zulu ( KwaZulu‑Natal)
Common clan names (izithakazelo):
Ayize, Ayanda, Andile, Anele, Amahle, Cilo, Dlamini, Mamba, Nkosi, Mnisi, Ndlovu, Shabangu, Simelane, Tshabalala, Zwane, Makhaza, Miya, Shabangu…
2. Xhosa
Prominent Xhosa iziduko and their sub‑clans include:
AmaGiqwa (Mvamba, Jingqi, Jikijwa), OoSithathu (Chisana, Ndebe, Hase), AmaNqarhwane (Ziduli, Hintsabe), AmaSukwini (Dibashe, Lawu), Tshonyane, Chungwa, Dikiza, Sawu, Tota, Simke, Khwane, Hani, Zulu, Gqunukhwebe, Madiba, Dlomo, Yem‑Yem, Vela bambhentsele, Sophitsho, Ngqolomsila…
3. Sotho (Sesotho & Sepedi)
Includes clans like Mohapi, Molebatsi, Tsotetsi, Molifi, Dipuo, Mesea.
Broader Sotho–Tswana lists include Batlhaping, Babirwa, Batabe, Bafokeng, Batlokwa: plus over 50 documented clans with totems and origins
4. Tswana
Well-known Tswana clans: Rolong, Bafokeng, Batlhaping, Batabe, Babirwa – along with other groups detailed in Sotho–Tswana records
5. Shangaan / Tsonga
Also called Tsonga (with Shangaan as a subgroup). Clans include:
Mkhatshwa, Nyamani, Dumayavo, Mabesa, Langa/Yanga, Muyanga, Nxumalo, Magona, Mudanisi, Nguyuza, Musayeya, Mabaduye, Choveti, Nkuyu, Mpisani, Masuku…
6. Venda
Saga of clan names gathering online includes: Rammele, Nkhumeleni, Mukwevho — plus Karanga‑Rozvi‑derived clans like Vhanyai, Vhalembethu, Vhalovhedzi, Vhasenzi.
7. Ndebele (Southern Nguni)
Core clans include: Ndebele, Mabhena (Zikode), Khumalo (e.g., Gatsheni, Mzilikazi), Hadebe (Dlodlo), Mazibuko, Sibanda, Ngwenya, Mlotshwa, Msiza, Ndlela. Also frequent surnames: Khuphe, Nkiwane, Sibindi, Nyathi, Mpofu, Hlabangane, Siziba, Mathuthu, Nxumalo, Ncube, Sibanda, Moyo, Ndlovu, Mkhwananzi, Bhebhe
8. Swati (Swazi)
The royal clan is Dlamini, but many others exist throughout Eswatini and South Africa, often shared with other Nguni groups: Mabhedla, Mshelevu, Mandvulo, Hlophe, Hlatshwayo, Nkuna, Matsebula, Methule, Mkhumane…
🗃️ Summary Table
| Tribe | Major Clan Names / Izithakazelo |
|---|---|
| Zulu | Ayize, Ayanda, Dlamini, Nkosi, Ndlovu, Mamba, Mnisi, Tshabalala… |
| Xhosa | AmaGiqwa, OoSithathu, AmaNqarhwane, AmaSukwini, Madiba, Dlomo, Yem‑Yem… |
| Sotho | Mohapi, Molebatsi, Tsotetsi, Molifi, Dipuo, Mesea… |
| Tswana | Rolong, Batlhaping, Bafokeng, Babirwa, Batabe… |
| Tsonga | Mkhatshwa, Nyamani, Muyanga, Nxumalo, Choveti, Masuku… |
| Venda | Vhanyai, Vhalembethu, Vhalovhedzi, Vhasenzi, Nkhumeleni, Mukwevho… |
| Ndebele | Khumalo, Hadebe, Sibanda, Ngwenya, Msiza, etc.; plus Khuphe, Nkiwane, Mpofu… |
| Swati | Dlamini (royal), Hlophe, Matsebula, Nkuna, Mandvulo… |
🔍 Notes & Further Exploration
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These lists cover major and frequently cited clans, but each ethnic group holds hundreds of sub‑clans and praise names.
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Want deep dives? I can provide full clan‑praise (izithakazelo/iziduko) info for a specific tribe, or expand into lesser‑known clans, totems, and lineage history.