Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza History

HISTORY OF KING NDZUNDZA KA MUSI AND HIS SON MRHETJHA KA NDZUNDZA KINGS OF THE GREAT NDEBELE – NDZUNDZA CLAN''''Bold text'Although the origins of the South African Ndebele are shrouded in mystery, they have been identified as one of the Nguni tribes. The Nguni tribes represent nearly two thirds of South Africa's Black population and can be divided into four distinct groups; the Central Nguni (the Zulu-speaking peoples), the Southern Nguni (the Xhosa-speaking peoples), the Swazi people from Swaziland and adjacent areas and the Ndebele people of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga.

In the 17th century, the Ndebele broke away from their coastal Nguni cousins, who were to become part of the mighty Zulu empire. Under the leadership of Musi, the Ndebele Tribe migrated inland, establishing themselves north of present-day Pretoria.
Musi is said to have been an astute ruler, whose first concern was the well-being of his subjects and their protection against exploitation by more powerful neighbours. Musi relied on diplomacy and not aggression to get his way.

As a just and respected ruler with a gentle disposition, he is thought to have gained the confidence of the Sotho peoples among whom he and his people settled.
The two Ndebele groups were not only separated geographically but also by differences in their languages and cultures. The Ndebele of the Northern Province consisted mainly of the BagaLanga and the BagaSeleka tribes who, by and large, adopted the language and culture of their Sotho neighbours.

The North Ndebele people resided an area stretching from the town of Warmbaths in the south, to the Limpopo River in the north and from the Botswana border in the west to the Mozambique border in the east. However, they were mainly concentrated in the districts of Pietersburg, Bakenberg and Potgietersrus.
Mpumalanga, much of which consists of the area known as the Lowveld, stretches from the town of Piet Retief in the south to Lydenburg / Pilgrim's Rest in the north and from the towns of Witbank and Groblersdal in the west to the Mozambique border in the east. The Springbok Flats separated the North Ndebele and those in the east from one another.

Details regarding the Ndebele prior to their arrival on the highveld are scarce, and their recorded history only begins with the names of their first two kings, Mafana and Mhlanga. 
Following Mhlanga's death the clan became embroiled in a protracted struggle which eventually brought his son, Musi, to the leadership. By that stage the group had already moved to Mnyamana, near Wonderboompoort, immediately north of the future Boer town of Pretoria. Musi, in his turn, had five sons: Manala, Masombuka, Ndzundza, Mthombeni and Dhlomu. Upon his death Musi was buried beneath a tree at Wonderboompoort, a location which is still visited by his descendants to the present day. Almost inevitably his sons quarrelled over their inheritance and, as a result, the clan split into a number of smaller groups, the largest two coalescing under the leaderships of Manala and Ndzundza respectively. Masombuka left briefly but re-joined Manala later on, while Dhlomu and some of his followers are reputed to have returned to KwaZulu. For the purpose of subsequent Ndebele history the Manala were held to be the senior of the two groups.

Researchers and other writers mentioned that according to historical facts that the so called Southern and Northern Ndebele of the Republic of South Africa  constitute a single ethnic group that claims its origin from the ancestral chief Musi according to different scholars, the Ana Ndebele originate from KwaZulu Natal . Long before Shaka’s wrath they parted as a bigger clan from their main Hlubi tribe circa 1552 under the Chieftainship of Mafana and took their route northwards. 
In due course Ndzundza was succeeded by his son Mrhetjha who, in his turn, was succeeded by his son Magobholi. Magobholi was followed by his son Bongwe, who unfortunately only reigned for three years, and as a result of his premature death, his brother Sindeni was appointed as regent. At this time, for reasons that are not known, there was a shift in the line of succession, which allowed Sindeni's son, Mahlangu, to follow his father. As a result the ruling family, which had previously been known as the Mdungwa, now became the Mahlangu. The last of these events probably took place in the latter part of the mid-eighteenth century.HISTORY OF KING NDZUNDZAKing Ndzundza Ka Musi was born by King Musi Ka Mhlanga by the year 1529 at Kwamnyamane today called Pretoria where King Musi settled after they have left Emhlangeni (Mohlakeng) (Randfontein).
He went to initiation school year 1547 and that where he gain his manhood according to Ndebele culture. He was born with his brothers Manala, Kekana, Skhosana, Mhwaluba, Lisha, Sibasa, and Mthombeni .
Details regarding the Ndebele prior to their arrival on the Highveld are scarce, and their recorded history only begins with the names of their first two kings, Mafana and Mhlanga. Following Mhlanga's death the clan became embroiled in a protracted struggle which eventually brought his son, Musi, to the leadership. By that stage the group had already moved to Mnyamana, near Wonderboompoort, immediately north of the future Boer town of Pretoria. Musi, in his turn, had five sons: Manala, Masombuka, Ndzundza, Mthombeni and Dhlomu. Upon his death Musi was buried beneath a tree at Wonderboompoort, a location which is still visited by his descendants to the present day. Almost inevitably his sons quarrelled over their inheritance and, as a result, the clan split into a number of smaller groups, the largest two coalescing under the leaderships of Manala and Ndzundza respectively. 

Masombuka left briefly but rejoined Manala later on, while Dhlomu and some of his followers are reputed to have returned to KwaZulu. For the purpose of subsequent Ndebele history the Manala were held to be the senior of the two groups.
King Ndzundza Ka Musi was born by King Musi Ka Mhlanga by the year 1529 at Kwamnyamane today called Pretoria where King Musi settled after they have left Emhlangeni (Mohlakeng) (Randfontein).KING NDZUNDZA PRAISESHlungwana yiNdlovu,
Eyabetha ithango ngenzasi,
Ezinye iindlovu zalibetha ngehla.
Sikhwende Hlungwana Sako Ndlovu,
Esathatha amaseko,
Sasuka sabamba uMbo sawuguduza
Sabamba nangakwa Nanasi
USutjana wamasu amane,
Lobunnye ngelomkhombo,
Mathandathu ngeweNyathi.

UHlungwana mlindi omduna,
Munzungayezi kulapho kusabela izilo zike,
Kusabela abongwe nabongolonyanyama,
Kusabela aboMamba nabohlathu.

UNdzundza lithole lakwabo Ngwenyama,
Eladabul’ intambo amanye wakwabo asakhulekiwe,
Isihllangu esadabul’ idakka,
Siwel’ izibuko lakaMahaja noMorolodi.
Liwel’ iphongo hlabana nezingwe nezingolonyama.
Wawela noSiyengayengani uSomeyiwa.
NguQangubana ubuso abulalwa ntongo,
Ngamavuk’ ehlambile,
Ngumavuk’ esabona nguNdzundza.

He went to initiation school year 1547 and that where he gain his manhood according to Ndebele culture. He was born with his brothers Manala, Kekana, Skhosana, Mhwaluba, Lisha, Sibasa, and Mthombeni 

In due course Ndzundza was succeeded by his son Mrhetjha who, in his turn, was succeeded by his son Magobholi. Magobholi was followed by his son Bongwe, who unfortunately only reigned for three years, and as a result of his premature death, his brother Sindeni was appointed as regent. At this time, for reasons that are not known, there was a shift in the line of succession, which allowed Sindeni's son, Mahlangu, to follow his father. As a result the ruling family, which had previously been known as the Mdungwa, now became the Mahlangu. The last of these events probably took place in the latter part of the mid-eighteenth century.
It is still unclear when and how the Ndebele parted from the main Nguni-speaking migration along the eastern part of southern Africa. Oral history suggests an early (c. late 1500) settlement in the interior, to the immediate north of present-day Pretoria, under a founder ruler called Musi. A succession struggle among Musi's sons is a probable explanation for the twofold split in clans and the resultant two main tribal categories, Ndzundza and Manala. The twofold split resulted in clans associating themselves with one of the two groups. The majority of clans followed Ndzundza, who migrated to KwaSimkhulu, approximately 200 kilometers east of present-day Pretoria. 

The numerically smaller Manala occupied the areas called Ezotshaneni, KoNonduna, and Embilaneni, which include what are today the eastern suburbs of Pretoria
Ndzundza and his followers now free to establish their own rule moved to the source of the Steelpoort river and built the first Ndzundza capital called KwaSimkhulu "The Great Place" situated approximately 20 km (12 mi) west of modern-day Belfast at the foot of Kwaggaskop. Ndzundza's Ndebele claimed all the lands from the Ollifants River in the east to the western banks of the Elands River in Mpumalanga as their new territory. Ndzundza was succeeded by his son Mrhetjha who in turn was succeeded by his son Magobholi. Bongwe, the son of Magobholi and great-grandson of Ndzundza, ruled in a time where the territory of the Ndzundza became increasingly threatened by raids from the Nguni tribes in the south east and more worry-some the growing Sotho – Tswana peoples in the north.

Bongwe thus left KwaSimkhulu and established a new capital for the Ndzundza at the base of the Bothasberg which was called "KwaMaza" (The Place of Ash). This new capital proved to be in a more solid position with which to push back the expansion of baKgatla tribes in the north. Bongwe died without issue and was succeeded by his brother Sindeni.
Details regarding the Ndebele prior to their arrival on the Highveld are scarce, and their recorded history only begins with the names of their first two kings, Mafana and Mhlanga. Following Mhlanga's death the clan became embroiled in a protracted struggle which eventually brought his son, Musi, to the leadership. By that stage the group had already moved to Mnyamana, near Wonderboompoort, immediately north of the future Boer town of Pretoria. Musi, in his turn, had five sons: Manala, Masombuka, Ndzundza, Mthombeni and Dhlomu. Upon his death Musi was buried beneath a tree at Wonderboompoort, a location which is still visited by his descendants to the present day. Almost inevitably his sons quarrelled over their inheritance and, as a result, the clan split into a number of smaller groups, the largest two coalescing under the leaderships of Manala and Ndzundza respectively. 

Masombuka left briefly but rejoined Manala later on, while Dhlomu and some of his followers are reputed to have returned to KwaZulu. For the purpose of subsequent Ndebele history the Manala were held to be the senior of the two groups.
In due course Ndzundza was succeeded by his son Mrhetjha who, in his turn, was succeeded by his son Magobholi. Magobholi was followed by his son Bongwe, who unfortunately only reigned for three years, and as a result of his premature death, his brother Sindeni was appointed as regent. At this time, for reasons that are not known, there was a shift in the line of succession, which allowed Sindeni's son, Mahlangu, to follow his father. As a result the ruling family, which had previously been known as the Mdungwa, now became the Mahlangu. The last of these events probably took place in the latter part of the mid-eighteenth century.
It is still unclear when and how the Ndebele parted from the main Nguni-speaking migration along the eastern part of southern Africa. Oral history suggests an early (c. late 1500) settlement in the interior, to the immediate north of present-day Pretoria, under a founder ruler called Musi.

 A succession struggle among Musi's sons is a probable explanation for the twofold split in clans and the resultant two main tribal categories, Ndzundza and Manala. The twofold split resulted in clans associating themselves with one of the two groups. The majority of clans followed Ndzundza, who migrated to KwaSimkhulu, approximately 200 kilometers east of present-day Pretoria. 
The numerically smaller Manala occupied the areas called Ezotshaneni, KoNonduna, and Embilaneni, which include what are today the eastern suburbs of Pretoria.
The Ndzundza chieftaincy is believed to have extended its boundaries along the Steelpoort (Indubazi) River catchment area between the 1600s and early 1800s. Several of these settlement sites (KwaSimkhulu, KwaMaza, and Esikhunjini) are known through oral history and are currently under archaeological investigation.

Both the Ndzundza and Manala chiefdoms were almost annihilated by the armies of Mzilikazi’s Matabele (Zimbabwean Ndebele) around 1820. The Manala in particular suffered serious losses, but the Ndzundza recovered significantly under the legendary Mabhoko, during the 1840s. He revolutionized the Ndzundza settlement pattern by building a number of impenetrable stone for tresses and renamed the tribal capital Ko Nomtjharhelo (later popularly known as Mapoch's Caves). During the middle 1800s, the Ndzundza developed into a significant regional political and military force.MRHETJHA KA NDZUNDZA (1621 – 1642)Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza was born by Ndzundza Ka Musi and he was born by King Ndzundza Ka Musi. Mrhetjha was the hero when it comes when it comes to battles. He was a leader of the warriors within the Ndebele Ndzundza nation. That was mentioned by the poet when it says it’s Somdukusa Ka Ndebele when we hear his praises.
Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza is the eldest son of King Ndzundza Ka Musi and he was born in KwaSimkhulu (Sunbury) Emakhazeni Municipality in Mpumalanga Province being born during 1591 and at the age of 21 years he took over from his father King Ndzundza after his death during 1621.

Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza managed to lead the Ndzundza warriors and fought many battles in defending the territory of King Ndzundza after he fled away from Kwamnyamane (Pretoria) after Ndzundza fighting with Manala. Mrhetjha warriors were well trained and had many survival skills that they have acquired to protect their territory at KwaSimkhulu. That time Ndzundza nation were not in good peace with the Manala clan (Ndzundza brother)
Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza was born with his brothers and one sister namely they follow each other namely Mrhetjha, Ndimande, Petha, Kotheni and Qongo and their Sister (Ganuganu) to be confirmed.

Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza went to initiation school by the year of 1629 and their clan name of the year of initiation is (Amadugu). He took over the Kingship after the passing of King Ndzundza and he played a big role in securing the Simkhulu Ndzundza territory because against the warriors of Manala after his father King Ndzundza fled in Kwamnyamane today called Tshwane (Pretoria).
After the death of King Ndzundza his son Mrhetjha took over the kingship and also ruled in the Belfast district near the Steelpoort River (Indubazi) which flows through Kwa Maza (Stoffberg) and eSihleni (Steenkampsberg, Dullstroom), and feeds uSakazana (Skilferlaagtesspruit) before it gets to eSkhunjini ( Bothasberg) . King Mrhetjha fathered the following children.
•	Mrhetjha (Lenjana)
•	Mthise (Daughter)
•	Ganugunu (Daughter)
•	Ndimande
•	Kotheni
•	Qoongo
•	Selephi (Daughter)
•	Petha (SoDiye)
•	Qomile ( Daughter)

Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza during his time of ruling, the Ndebele nation we facing lot of wars. So his warriorship was displayed by many defeats and securing the territory against the attacks, that is why he was called Umkhulwa Bo Ndzundza they say NguSomdubasi Ka Ndebele, Mkhulwa bo Ndzundza ka Ndebele.

Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza gave birth to the Son’s namely Ntobela Ka Mrhetjha and his brother Magobholi Ka Mrhetjha. According to oral history Ntobela never had a chance to rule the Ndebele Ndzundza nation because he was not good standing with his father Mrhetjha because he wanted to rule the nation while his father was still alive and his father Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza decided to allow Magobholi to take over from him as a Ndzundza Ndebele King after Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza passed away. 

Magobholi Ka Mrhetjha gave birth to Bongwe and after the death of Magobholi, Bongwe Ka Magobholi Succeeded the throne of Magobholi Ka MrhetjhaMRHETJHA KA NDZUNDZA CLAN PRAISES.Mrhetjha 
Mrhetjha Ka Ndzundza
Mkhalangana
Mkhulu Kwa Ndzundza
Mdukusa Ndebele
Sitjhukutjhuku lisehle intaba isinyevane 
Libalekisa umboko Walo 
SoMakhonkotha Ka Ndzundza 
Wena Owadla ilenjana lika Ndzundza 
Kwakunguyena uNdzundza
Indlovu yanyukele intaba isinyevane entrabeni yasinda 
Yaphambanisa amadolo njenge njongwe
Indlovu ungayihlabi ezihlakaneni
Wayihlaba ezihlakaneni
Uzabe uyibangile
Mrhetjha Ka NdzundzaAMONG THE HLUBIChief Ndebele was living with his people in the territory of the Bhaca and Hlubi south of the Drakensberg Mountains which they called "uKhahlamba". The capital settlement in this territory was called eLundini. Chief Ndebele had broken away from the larger Mbo group and established his own rule over his own people who would take his name as the name of their nation.
Jonono, the great-grandson of Ndebele moved north with his people and settled in the area just north east of modern-day Ladysmith in the mountains surrounding the mouth of the Cwembe River. Jononoskop which is approximately 30 km north east of Ladysmith is said to be the burial place of Jonono.
Jonono was succeeded as "Ngwenyama" which is the title of the King of the Ndebele, by his eldest son Nanasi who legend holds, was resistant to all poisons. One tale tells of how Nanasi feasted on the top of a nearby hill on poisonous fruit only to discover that he remained unharmed by the fruit. Today the alleged site is called "Butiswini" from ubuthi esiswini which roughly means 'a poisoned stomach'. Oral tradition does not tell us why Nanasi was eating poisonous fruit in the first place.MIGRATION TO NORTH OF VAAL RIVERNanasi died without issue and so Mafana his brother succeeded him as Ngwenyama. Mafana is said to have lived in the mid-1500s. Mafana moved his people from their lands near Ladysmith moving in a north westward direction crossing first the Drakensberg Mountains and then made an attempt to cross the Vaal River. He was unsuccessful and drowned in the river along with a few others.
After the death of his father Mafana, Mhlanga assumed the throne and took his people over the Vaal River travelling in a north westward direction finally settling in an area around modern day Randfontein. Mhlanga established a new capitol that was later called eMhlangeni (now known as Mehlakeng), which means Mhlanga's place, and there he stayed with the Ndebele until his death.

Musi, the son of Mhlanga succeeded his father as Ngwenyama of the Ndebele people. While at eMhlangeni, Musi found the area becoming increasingly hostile from the Sotho-Tswana tribes to the west that had not taken kindly to the Nguni Ndebele settling so close to their borders. Ultimately due the competing of resources, Musi uprooted the Ndebele once again and moved his people northwards crossing first the Jukskei River then the Hennops River. 

After discovering the source of the Apies River, Musi's Ndebele moved north along its banks through Wonderboompoort and settled in the hills north of Wonderboomkop on both side of the Apies River. Here Musi established two settlements. The first of which "KwaMnyamana" (The Place of Black Rocks) served as a new capitol for the Ndebele and was situated on the eastern side of the Apies River. The second settlement was that of "eMaruleni" (Named for the abundance of Marula fruit trees), which was situated on the western side of the Apies river. Here at KwaMnyamana, Musi's Ndebele would establish a thriving homeland for themselves trading with BaKwena and BaKgatla tribes in the west. Musi's people also encountered the indigenous nomadic San people living along the Apies River whom they called "AbaTshwa" which is said to mean "The People who we ignore".MANALA-NDZUNDZA CONFLICT'''

Musi was a polygamist and as such fathered many children with many wives. The following are some of Musi's known progeny: Masombuka, also called Skhosana whose name means "to begin". First born son of Musi's third wife. Ndzundza, also called Hlungwana was the first born son of his second wife. Manala, also called Mbuduma was the first born son of his 'Great Wife'. 
There was also Mthombeni, also called Gegana, Sibasa, Mhwaduba, Mphafuli, Dlomo and Tshwane, whose historicity is hotly debated with many suggesting he was not the son of Musi but the son of Musi's brother Sekhubatane or even Musi's grandson. There are others who even suggest that he may have never existed at all.

According to Ndebele tradition, it is custom for the first born son of the 'Great Wife' to succeed his father as ruler over the Ndebele people. The first born of Musi's great wife was Manala. Thus Manala was the rightful heir to the ruling seat of the Ndebele. This did not sit well with Musi's second wife whose son Ndzundza was born first before Manala. Oral tradition on the many details of the following vary from community to community however what is mostly agreed upon is that when Musi was old, he was blind and quite senile. After the death of his great wife he was being nursed and cared for by his second wife. This second wife, sensing the passing of Musi was near, instructed Manala to go out and hunt an 'imbuduma' (Wildebeest) to honour his father in his last days. While Manala was out, Musi's second wife came to him and presented her son Ndzundza as Manala and asked Musi to bestow to Ndzundza the "iNamrhali" which it is said, are magical beads or a magical staff that produce a sound that mimics the cries of a child. This mysterious gift was passed from incumbent rulers to their successors at their death to fortify their rule as the new ruler.

Alternate oral tradition holds that Musi himself sent Manala to hunt the imbuduma and knowingly bestowed iNamrhali to Ndzundza and instructed him to call an "Imbizo" (Royal counsel) and inform the elders and the people of what had transpired between him and his father. Ndzundza was further instructed to not leave KwaMnyamana at any cost. That if he should leave the seat of power, even having iNamrhali would not be enough to consolidate his power as the new ruler over the people and that his brother Manala would surely uses the forces of KwaMnyamana to seek retribution. While it is debated how Ndzundza had obtained iNamrhali, the one consistent fact remained in almost all stories that Ndzundza was indeed in possession of iNamrhali at this point. Ndzundza did not head the warning of his father and fled eastwards with many followers including his brothers Mthombeni and Masombuka. Manala arrived with his hunt to find his father had died and Ndzundza with iNamrhali along with many followers had fled. 

Manala himself called an Imbizo declaring that Ndzundza had stolen iNamrhali and thus his birth right. He vowed to bring Ndzundza back to KwaMnyamana or kill him.
Manala with his army pursued Ndzundza and caught up with him at MaSongololo (Zonkolol) between modern day Cullinan and Rayton. There they fought a battle between two branches of the Elands River. 
Ndzundza had narrowly claimed victory in this first battle and rather than staying in the area he fled with his forces further eastward. Manala pursued again and again lost to Ndzundza's forces in a battle at the Wilge River. It is said that at this battle, Ndzundza used iNamrhali to cast a magical spell over the river causing it to wash away some of Manala's forces. 

After this second defeat, Manala retreated back to KwaMnyamana to replenish their provisions and numbers. Manala and his army then continued to chase Ndzundza until they met at the Olifants River were a third battle ensued. Ndzundza allegedly cast the first blow, throwing a spear over the river towards Manala which landed at his feet.
It was then that oral tradition holds that at the moment Manala had the upper hand to kill his brother Ndzundza, a "long breasted" old woman named Noqoli from the Mnguni family stepped in and scolded the brothers for fighting. She proceeded to call a meeting to mediate peace between the two brothers. The outcome of this meeting was that henceforth there would be two kings of the Ndebele people. Ndzundza would hold Musi's iNamrhali and be recognised as his own king within the Ndebele kingdom, and Manala would continue to rule as the senior king from Musi's capital of KwaMnyamana (Wonderboom) and the Olifants River would be the border separating the two powers within the greater Ndebele Kingdom. The agreement further stated that the brothers may never again fight. 

That great misfortune would follow the Ndebele people should they transgress the agreement which came to be known as "isiVumelano sakoNoQoli" (Noqoli's agreement). To show their commitment to honour Noqoli's agreement, it was decided that Manala's daughters and descendants would marry the daughters and descendants of Ndzundza and vice versa. This practice would later die out. Noqoli and her descendants were honoured with the title Msiza.
This story bears great resemblance to the biblical story of Jacob and Esau which features in The Book of Genesis from Chapters 27 through to 33 telling of Esau's loss of his birth right to Jacob and the conflict that ensued between their descendants nations because of Jacob's deception of their aged and blind father, Isaac, in order to receive Esau's birth right/blessing from Isaac.

There has been much debate over the past few centuries about the exact details of isiVumelwano sakoNoQoli. This debate boiled over into a legal feud between Enoch Mabhena Makhosoke II of the Manala and Mbusi Mahlangu Mabhoko III of the Ndzundza over who holds the most senior position in the Ndebele kingdom. The matter was settled with the Nhlapo Commission onto Traditional leadership and claims which in 2010 declared Mabhena as the senior king of the Ndebele.

In November 2010, former President of South Africa Jacob Zuma caused controversy when he overturned the Nhlapo Commissions finding and declared Mahlangu to be the senior king of the Ndebele. This was later rectified in 2017, High Court and Makhosonke II was legally entrenched as the senior king of the Ndebele People of South Africa.
The remaining sons of Musi all went their separate ways after the Manala-Ndzundza conflict. Mthombeni and Masombuka relocated with their brother Ndzundza to east of the Olifants River. Mthombeni (Kekana) continued on with his people north and settled at the confluence of the Mgoto and Nkumpi rivers in what is today Moletlane. Mthombeni's grandson named Kgabe took a large portion of the descendants of Mthombeni north westward crossing the mountains and settling near the Waterberg Mountains along the Nyl River where their descendants were gradually assimilated into the surrounding Sotho-Tswana groups.

By the middle of the 19th century, the Kekana had further divided into smaller splinter groups, which spread out across the hills, valleys and plains surrounding present-day Mokopane (Potgietersrus), Zebediela and Polokwane (Pietersburg). These groups were progressively absorbed into the numerically superior and more dominant surrounding Sotho groups, undergoing considerable cultural and social change. By contrast, the descendants of Manala and Ndzundza maintained a more recognisably distinctive cultural identity, and retained a language which was closer to the Mbo spoken by their coastal forebears (and to present-day IsiHlubi).

Sibasa and his brother Mphafuli moved north into the territory of the VhaVenda and were met with resistance from the Venda. After a considerable conflict the forces of Mphafuli and Sibasa established chieftainships at Tshivhase and Sibasa. Some of Mphafuli's descendants trekked southwards and joined the Ndzundza.
Dlomo had decided to leave the territories north of the Vaal and go back to the ancestral homeland of the Ndebele in Hlubi territory. Here the descendants of Dlomo established the amaNdebele Clan among the Zulu and Hlubi.

The descendants of Mhwaduba stayed with Manala at KwaMnyamana for almost seven generations until the onset of a drought in the late 1700s caused one of his descendants, known to the Voortrekkers as "Pete" uprooted his people and settled near Schuinsdraai in Limpopo. After the arrival of Mzilikazi north of the Vaal, the remanents of Pete's people settled among the Masetla BaKgatla and were gradually assimilated as BaKgatla.

As for Tshwane. It is said by some that he was one of the descendants of Mhwaduba who did not leave with Pete but instead moved south and settled on the northern banks of the Hennops River. Thaba Tshwane nearby bears his name. Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality was named in honour of Tshwane as well as a 3m statue erected in-front of Pretoria City Hall. This has caused great controversy.
Manala returned from the Olifants River back to KwaMnyamana with two of his brother’s daughters, Mthisi and Ganuganu as consolation for the loss of iNamrhali. Upon Manala's return he buried the body of Musi under the Wonderboom at the base of Wonderboomkop. Following Ndebele tradition would have led the funeral ceremony with his clothes inside out in a practice called "ukuhlanukela". After the burial the new Ngwenyama is announced to the people by the royal praise singer after-which there is a great feast. In the years leading up to Manala's death his people saw relative prosperity at KwaMnyamana. Manala was succeeded by his son Ntjhele, who succeeded by his son Magutjhona who was succeeded by his son Mrawu, who was succeeded by his brother Ncagu who served as regent until Buyambo, the son of Mrawu was of age to assume the Manala throne.

Buyambo's son Mabhena I who succeeded him as Ngwenyama of the Manala throne expanded the territory of to as far south as the confluence of the Hennops River and the Sesmylspruit and as far north as Marble Hall in Limpopo. Mabhena I did however struggle with expansion to the west. Never moving past the Sand River which becomes the Tolwane River. He met respectable resistance from the Sotho-Tswana groups to the west. When the son of Mabhena I, Mdibane, ascended to the throne the Manala had controlled a territory spanning the length of northern Gauteng. This included many large settlements such as KwaMnyamana (The Place of Black Rocks) which served as the Manala Capital, eMaruleni (The Place of Marula Trees), eZotjaneni (The Place in The Grass), KoNonduna (The Place of The Chiefs) and eMbilaneni (The Holy Place).
Ndzundza and his followers now free to establish their own rule moved to the source of the Steelpoort River and built the first Ndzundza capital called KwaSimkulu "The Great Place" situated approximately 20 km west of modern-day Belfast at the foot of Kwaggaskop. Ndzundza's Ndebele claimed all the lands from the Olifants River in the east to the western banks of the Elands River in Mpumalanga as their new territory.

Ndzundza was succeeded by his son Mrhetjha who in turn was succeeded by his son Magobholi. Bongwe, the son of Magobholi and great grandson of Ndzundza, ruled in a time where the territory of the Ndzundza became increasingly threatened by raids from the Nguni tribes in the south east and more worry-some the growing Sotho-Tswana peoples in the north. Bongwe thus left KwaSimkulu and established a new capital for the Ndzundza at the base of the Bothasberg which was called "KwaMaza" (The Place of Ash). This new capital proved to be in a more solid position with which to push back the expansion of baKgatla tribes in the north. Bongwe died without issue and was succeeded by his brother Sindeni.

Sindeni continued his brothers campaigns in the north and defeated both the baKgatla under Moloi and the bakaw Nkadimeng. Sindeni was succeeded by his grandson Mahlangu. It is not clear how power was transferred from Sindeni to Mahlangu and what happened to Mahlangu's father who should have ruled before him. Mahlangu attempted to expand the Ndzundza territory both to the north and south but had limited success. Despite this Mahlangu gained significant notoriety from his enemies as a skilled military leader.Mahlangu was succeeded by his son Phaswana who was killed in war. Phaswana was succeeded by his brother Maridili who had greater success in war defeating Makuwa baPedi and Makwetla baPedi at eDikeni. Maridili died without issue and so the Ndzundza throne passed onto the next brother Mdalanyana who was killed in war. The throne passed to Mgwezana, son of Mahlangu, who too was killed in battle. After this Mgwezana's brother Dzela. Dzela engaged in an ambitious war to claim more territory for the Ndzundza eastwards and attacked the BoKoni around Lydenburg which they called "eMatjhitjhini" (The Place of The Long Grass). 

This campaign was not successful and Dzela was killed. The throne then passed to Mrhabuli who was the son of Mgwezana but served as regent for the young Gembe who was the rightful heir of Mgwezana's throne.
To avenge the death Dzela, Mrhabuli split the Ndzundza force into three armies with his brother Magodongo in command of one force, his young brother and heir Gembe in command of the second and himself in command of the last. The plan was to surround the BoKoni capital and attack from three sides. Gembe and his forces had gotten scared and abandoned his brothers on the eve of battle and fled. Mrhabuli and Magodongo inflicted massive loses on the BoKoni but sustained great losses without the support of Gembe. Mrhabuli was killed in this battle and ultimately it was decided among the "Induna" or Chiefs of the Ndzundza, that Gembe's actions were unforgivable and that instead Magodongo would be named the Ngwenyama of the Ndzundza founding a new dynasty.

Contribution by


(THULANI GATSHA MRHETJHA): PRINCE 
MRHETJHA KA NDZUNDZA ROYAL FAMILY CEO / HEAD OF A CLAN

REFFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ndebele_people
https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_ndebele.html
https://uvelaphi.co.za/cultures/ndebele
https://archive.wethepeoplesa.org/uploads/r/constitution-hill-trust/b/8/4/b84c832a271bfc45c806a0f30ec9c2d4d9be704ab506d15a72cbe350ba5d8e42/ITEM_COD-0074-0030-_-001.pdf
https://southafrica.co.za/the-ndebele-tribe-of-south-africa.html