Happy Heritage Day. Ndingu Madiba. This thread is a brief history about the origins of ‘Bavele bambhntsele’, the part people love in my clan praises. The Thembu legend has it that Dlomo, the founder of the Thembu, was involved in a succession battle with his half-brother Hlanga

In the ensuing fight Dlomo defeated Hlanga who fled with his subjects.

Upon entering his homestead after his victory, the heroic Dlomo was greeted by a jubilant crowd of ululating women who lifted their skirts (hence bavele bam bhentsele) upon his grand entrance to the village.

Years later Dlomo’s son Hala occasioned a truce between his people and those of Hlanga.

Hala was crowned chief and given a new royal name and title of Madiba. “Madiba” in Xhosa means to close ditches or could be taken to mean a filler of ditches.

The name Madiba was aptly applied to Hala for his heroic reconciliation with Hlanga, thus bringing back the unity of the descendants of Dlomo.

Years later, Nelson Mandela of the Madiba clan, would attempt to bring a divided South Africa together, just like the founding father of the Madiba did centuries before for his tribe.

The Madiba clan praises are rooted in real historical events.

Although our origins are Thembu, my family is from emaXesibeni, Mount Ayliff, hence my Xesibe inspired outfit.