You know, some surnames are like comfortable old shoes. They just fit. And then there are surnames that feel like a full suit of armor. Makhathini is definitely the armor kind.
If you are from South Africa, specifically KwaZulu-Natal, you know exactly what I mean. When a Makhathini walks in, there is a certain dignity in the air. But here is the tricky part: sometimes you call them Makhathini, and sometimes you call them Gwala.
Confused? Don’t be.
We are going to unravel this knot today. We are going to look at the Izithakazelo (clan praises) of the Makhathini people and find out why they share their history with some other heavy-hitter clans.
So, get comfortable. Let’s talk about who your ancestors really were.
The Makhathini Roll Call (The Praises)
If you want to make a Makhathini smile—or maybe get a discount at their shop—you need to know how to greet them properly. You can’t just say “Hi.” You need to drop the real knowledge.
Here is the list you need to memorize:
Makhathini!
Gwala!
Nzimande!
Mphephethe!
Dlambula!
Vezi!
Wena owalala nomunwe endunu!
Wena kaNzimande!
It sounds powerful, right? But if you read the article about the Maduna clan, you might be scratching your head. “Wait a minute,” you might say. “Didn’t you just say Nzimande and Mphephethe belong to Maduna?”
Yes. And also, yes. Let me explain.
The Gwala Connection
The most important thing to understand about the Makhathini clan is their connection to Gwala.
In fact, “Gwala” is often the main surname, and Makhathini is a praise name that became a surname over time (or vice versa, depending on which elder you ask). They are the same blood.
It’s like how you might have a cousin who uses your grandfather’s first name as their surname. You are from the same house, you just have different labels on the door.
So, when you see a Gwala, you are seeing a Makhathini. When you see a Makhathini, you are seeing a Gwala. They are two sides of the same coin.
Decoding “Mphephethe”
Let’s talk about Mphephethe. This is a legendary name.
The word comes from the verb ukuphephetha, which means “to blow.”
Now, I know what you are thinking. “To blow? Like blowing out candles?” Not exactly.
In ancient traditional medicine, healers would grind herbs and “blow” them onto a patient or into the air to chase away bad spirits or sickness. It was a powerful act of healing and protection.
So, being called Mphephethe suggests that the ancestors were spiritual guardians. They were the ones who could “blow away” the trouble. They were the doctors, the protectors, the ones who kept the community clean from evil.
It’s a pretty cool legacy, isn’t it? You aren’t just a warrior; you are a healer.
The “Dlambula” Story
Then there is Dlambula. This one is a bit more rugged.
Dlambula implies someone who travels long distances, perhaps someone whose clothes get torn from the long journey or the rough bush.
It paints a picture of a traveler. An explorer.
The Makhathini people weren’t people who just sat in one spot waiting for things to happen. They moved. They expanded. They went where others were afraid to go.
When you call a Makhathini “Dlambula,” you are honoring their adventurous spirit. You are saying, “I know you come from people who walked the hard paths.”
The Nzimande Root
We have to touch on Nzimande. This is the root.
Nzimande is like the trunk of the tree. The Makhathinis, the Gwalas, and the Madunas all branch off from this massive ancestor.
This is why African families are so huge. You might think someone is a stranger, but then you hear them say “Nzimande,” and suddenly you realize you are family.
It was a clever way of keeping the peace back in the day. You are less likely to fight someone if you know you share a great-great-grandfather.
The Humor in the History
You might have noticed the line: “Wena owalala nomunwe endunu.”
Okay, we have to address the elephant in the room. Directly translated, it refers to sleeping with a finger in the… well, the rear.
Don’t laugh! (Okay, you can laugh a little).
But in history, these praises often came from specific incidents or habits of an ancestor. Sometimes it meant they were always alert, sleeping lightly, ready to jump up if an enemy approached. It wasn’t about being weird; it was about being ready.
It’s a reminder that these ancestors were human. They had quirks. They had funny stories. They weren’t just stone statues; they were real people who lived, laughed, and survived.
Why You Should Be Proud
If your surname is Makhathini, you have a lot to brag about.
You have the healing power of Mphephethe.
You have the bravery of Gwala.
You have the adventurous spirit of Dlambula.
You are a mix of peace and war, of healing and fighting.
So, the next time someone asks you about your name, don’t just mumble it. Say it with your chest.
Tell them, “I am a Makhathini. I am the one who blows away the trouble.”