Mbotho Youth Movement

Mpondo, also spelled Pondo , group of Nguni-speaking peoples who have for several centuries occupied the area between the Mtata and Mtamvuna rivers in Eastern province of South Africa. The Mpondo homeland formed one of the largest parts of the former Transkei (until 1994), an independent republic that was established under the South African government’s policy of apartheid but was dissolved and reincorporated (in part) into the new province in 1994. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Mpondo people shared with other Nguni speakers a basic social organization and material culture that set them off from other South African peoples. They settled in dispersed households. Agriculture was a female occupation. Men were responsible for cattle raising, which played a central role in both subsistence and social relations and which also formed the basis of Mpondo wealth. Patrilineal succession and exogamous marriage were the rule, and cattle were used to obtain wives through the payment of

MINUTES OF THE MBOTHO FAMILY GATHERING HELD IN ZIMBANE ON SATURDAY THE 9TH JULY 2011 AT THE VUKE FAMILY HOME TO WELCOME THE CHIEF OF THE MBOTHO FAMILY. 1. ARRIVAL Families started arriving from 09h00 in the morning in Zimbane and received a warm welcome from the Vuke branch of the Mbotho family. 2. WELCOMING The families gathered near the kraal while awaiting the arrival of the chief. Food and meat was enjoyed by all until the arrival of the chief after 10h00. The origins of the Mbotho clan were communicated to the families. 3. A BRIEF HISTORY OoMbotho are a clan under the late King Faku wamaMpondo. The clan is concentrated in Harding in KwaZulu Natal where the Chief currently resides. 4. PROCESSION TO THE TENT Immediately after the arrival of the chief and his delegation, the gathering moved to the tent for the official proceedings. 5. MAIN PROGRAMME The master of ceremony was Mr SH Xaso of the Mbotho clan from Centane. 5.1. Prayer The