Mapemba izita remhuri rinowanikwa muZimbabwe, Malawi neZambia. Vanhu vane zita iri: Joseph Mapemba, Olayemi Mapemba, Chifundo Mapemba. Pano panyorwa mazwi ari pedyo nezita iri kune mimwe mitauro yeChiBantu, asi zvinoreva zita zvigona kusiyana zvachose nemazwi ari pasi aya. Chinangwa ndechekutsvaga zvinoreva mazita, zvikurusei kana mazita aya asisiri kutaurwa mumutauro wemazuva ano. MaZulu vanoti phemba kana ukuphemba mlilo (Kindle, light a fire) vachireva kuvesa moto. MaZulu vanoti phemba (Work up a fire (as from a small start). MaZulu vane chirevo chinoti Wowuphemoa ungawothi (You will not reap the benefit) zvichishandurwa toti - unovesa moto wausingadziye zvichireva unoshanda usingazodyi zvibereko zvacho. MaZulu vanoti phemba (Originate; initiate action; start anew). Muenzaniso: ukuphemba isizwe (to be the progenitor of a tribe). ukuphemba ngokusha (to make a fresh start). VaGungu vanoti kuhemba (v ignite, kindle, light) kuvesa moto. VaGungu vanoisa h pamwe panoiswa p kuShona. Kimbundu vanoti pemba (v. plaster). VaZigula vanoti mpemba kana mapemba (n. indian corn).