history
A History of Courage, Leadership and Heritage
The history of the Shabalala clan is a story passed through generations. It tells of kingship, migration, settlement, conflict, courage and the preservation of a people and their heritage.
From the story of Ludonga and Mavuso, through the journey from Eswatini and the mountains of Simakade, to Mandlangampisi, Hlomendlini and the royal houses that followed, the history connects generations across Southern Africa.
This account forms part of the historical heritage preserved by the Mandlangampisi Royal Lineage.
The Story Through Generations
Ludonga I and Mavuso
Ludonga I gave birth to a son named Mavuso, who became an important ancestor in the lineage.
Ludonga II and Dlamini
Mavuso fathered Ludonga II and Dlamini. Their story became an important part of the succession history.
The Departure from Eswatini
Ludonga left the royal village and began a journey that would eventually lead his descendants toward the mountains.
The Mountains of Simakade
Ludonga reached the mountains of Simakade, where his people eventually settled in a cave.
The Generations of Shabalala
Through successive generations came Hadahada, Sampekwane, Mangethe, Mathe and eventually Mandlangampisi.
Mandlangampisi
Mandlangampisi became a central figure in the history of the people and the lineage.
The Birth of Hlomendlini
Following the defence of the cave by a young queen, her son was named Hlomendlini in remembrance of the event.
Hlomendlini and King Mpande
Hlomendlini travelled with Mandlangampisi's warriors to Zululand and later returned home following the death of his father.
Mabuza
Hlomendlini's son Mabuza continued the royal line and became an important link to the generations that followed.
Joconia /
Mabuza appointed Joconia / , connecting the lineage to the present royal house.
Jabulani Ndabazezwe I
Jabulani Ndabazezwe I is identified in the supplied lineage history as the current ruling king.
Ludonga, Mavuso and the Succession
Ludonga I gave birth to a son named Mavuso, who fathered Ludonga II as well as Dlamini.
According to the historical account preserved by the clan, Swazi custom held that the first-born son did not take the kingship but became the chief advisor, known as ibekankosi. The king came from the small house.
When King Mavuso passed away, a son was needed to take the throne. Ludonga was expected to become king, but because he was still young, Dlamini was asked to hold the throne until Ludonga was old enough.
When the time came for Ludonga to take the kingship, a dispute arose, and Ludonga eventually left the royal village.
From Eswatini to the Mountains of Simakade
According to the preserved account, when Dlamini's mother was approaching death, she asked her son to return the kingship to Ludonga.
Dlamini called a meeting with his police and headmen and announced that the kingship would be returned.
However, Ludonga was warned that Dlamini wanted to kill him. Ludonga therefore left and continued his journey.
He eventually reached the mountains of Simakade, where he encountered the San people. The account records that a cave became the home of those who settled there.
The Cave and the Birth of Hlomendlini
From Shabalala to Mandlangampisi
Shabalala settled in the cave and began a new chapter for his descendants. He married and had sons.
Among the generations that followed were Hadahada and Sampekwane.
Sampekwane had a son named Mangethe. Mangethe had a son named Mathe, and Mathe had a son named Mandlangampisi.
Through these generations, the lineage continued toward the period of Mandlangampisi.
The Story of Mandlangampisi
Mandlangampisi ruled during an important period in the history of the people.
According to the account, the Zulu King Mpande sent warriors to attack Mandlangampisi while his nation was resting under the trees.
Because they were not armed, the people ran into the cave and called for their spears.
A young queen who was carrying a child on her back stood at the corner of the cave and blocked the advancing warriors with a spear.
A Name Born From Courage
As the warriors entered the cave, they were met by spears and were killed.
As time passed, the young queen gave birth to a son. He was named Hlomendlini because of the action his mother had taken at the corner of the cave.
Hlomendlini would grow to become a significant figure in the continuation of the royal lineage.
Hlomendlini and King Mpande
King Mpande of Zululand asked Mandlangampisi to lend him warriors to go and retrieve his own people in Zululand.
Mandlangampisi agreed, and his son Hlomendlini, who was now grown, travelled with the warriors.
Mandlangampisi later passed away while Hlomendlini was in Zululand.
Hlomendlini was eventually informed of his father's death and returned home to his people.
Hlomendlini Returns Home
When Mandlangampisi passed away, Mdandalazi was left to look after the king.
When the Boers came asking who the king was, Mdandalazi explained that the king had passed away and that Hlomendlini was still in Zululand.
Mdandalazi refused to become king, explaining that he was not the king.
Hlomendlini eventually returned and was informed about what had happened.
Hlomendlini then ruled and the royal lineage continued.
Mloyiloyi and Mabuza
Hlomendlini had two sons, Mloyiloyi and Mabuza.
Mloyiloyi was from the big house and was the elder. It was arranged that Mloyiloyi would rule in Dinkersdroop, also referred to as Daggakraal.
Mabuza was arranged to rule in Wakkerstroom.
Mloyiloyi later passed away, and Mabuza then ruled.
Joconia /
Mabuza appointed Joconia, also identified in the supplied historical record as .
Joconia / had two sons, Sipho and Jabulani.
Jabulani was known as Ndabazezwe and is identified in the supplied lineage as the current ruling king.
The Line Continues
The recorded succession connects the generations from Hlomendlini to the present royal house.