Chief of Tembe
| Chief of Tembe | |
|---|---|
| Inkosi (Chief) yaKwaTembe | |
| Residence | KwaNgwanase, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa |
| Seat | KwaNgwanase, Manguzi |
| Appointer | Tembe Tribal Authority |
| Term length | Hereditary |
| Formation | Precolonial era |
| First holder | King Tembe |
Chief of Tembe (also Inkosi yaKwaTembe) is the hereditary leadership title of the ruling house of the precolonial Tembe Kingdom, now represented as the Tembe Tribal Authority in South Africa's modern democratic structure.[2][3][4] The Chief of Tembe oversees traditional governance within the Tembe Tribal Authority, manages land allocation, presides over customary courts and represents the Tembe community in provincial traditional leadership structures.[5]
List of Tembe rulers
[edit]The following is a list of known rulers of the Tembe Kingdom, from the known beginning to the reign of Chief Ngwanase Tembe (1894–1928).[3]
| Name | Reign | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| King Sikuke | c.1692–1710 | Early ruler of Tembe lineage |
| King Ludahumba | 1710–1728 | |
| King Silamboya | 1728–1746 | Oversaw early Tembe consolidation |
| King Mangobe | 1746–1764 | Established influence over Mabudu-Tembe branch |
| King Mabudu | 1764–1782 | Founder of the Mabudu-Tembe branch |
| King Mwayi | 1782–1800 | |
| King Makasana | c.1800–1854 | Maintained regional authority during Mfecane |
| King Noziyingile Tembe | c.1854–1886 | Father of Prince Ngwanase Tembe; consolidated Tembe power |
| Chief Ngwanase Tembe | 1894–1928 | Installed after regency of Queen Zambili in 1894; he is founder of dominant Ngwanase branch |
See also
[edit]- Tembe Kingdom
- Tembe Tribal Authority
- Mabudu-Tembe Kingdom
- Tembe (Southern African clan)
- Tembe Elephant Park
- KwaNgwanase
- Prince Ngwanase Tembe
- Queen Zambili Dlamini
- King Noziyingile Tembe
- Prince Makhuza Tembe
References
[edit]- ^ "Inkosi Mabhudu Israel Tembe resigns from Ingonyama Trust board". TimesLIVE. 11 January 2025.
- ^ Mthethwa, Dingani. 2002. The Mobilization of History and the Tembe Chieftaincy in Maputaland: 1896–1997 (PDF). MA thesis, University of Natal.
- ^ a b Mathebula, Mandla (2017). "Some notes on the early history of the Tembe, 1280 AD–1800 AD (PDF)". New Contree. 78: 102.
- ^ Lions to roar Tembe Park, News24, 10 October 2001. Accessed 22 November 2025
- ^ Peace Parks Foundation. "Tembe Elephant Park". Retrieved 11 November 2025.