Iinkosi / The Chiefs

Chiefs of the AbaThembu Nation

Traditional leaders who administer customary affairs across the houses and districts of Thembuland, working in service of the King and the Royal Council.

Chieftainship Structure

Each Chief presides over a house or district within the AbaThembu nation, tracing their authority back through the royal genealogy. Full names and contact details for each sitting Chief will be published here as they are confirmed by the Royal Council.

Bumbane, Mthatha

Great House

Descendants of Ngubengcuka and Ngangelizwe

Qamata, Cofimvaba

Right Hand House

Matanzima lineage — Mtirara, Matanzima, Mfanta, Mzimkulu, Mvuzo, Mhlobo

Districts across Thembuland

Ama-Qiya / Ama-Hlanga

Right Hand: Ntaba, Gobe, Jutye, Mbodlana, Moni, Pongomile

Senior collateral branch

Ama-Ndungwana

Ndungwana, Diya, Gungu, Langa, Kono, Tshaka

Right Hand line

Ama-Tshatshu

Manusi, Tukwa, Xoba, Tshatshu, Bawana, Mapasa, Gungubele

Junior collateral houses

Ama-Nxuba & Ama-Dlawu

Ntazi, Nkonyane, Vava — Dlawu, Xuluma, Mai, Ngonyama, Dumalisile

Role of the Chiefs

Administering customary law and resolving local disputes
Allocating land and overseeing traditional ceremonies
Representing communities before the Royal Council and the King
Partnering on development, insurance and skills training programmes