Zamani Shange – Family History

Ndabambi Shange was born at Umbumbulu, Mpandwini area. He had one wife and two children Nkantolo and Mchijwa. Ndabambi’s wife was Zithombi Msomi, who first married to Ngwagwa Mkhize but she didn’t have children with him. Ndabambi was rich because he had a lot of cows and a beautiful house.

Nkantolo Shange was born at Umbumbulu and had five wives and 21 children. His first wife was Thandazile Myeza and lived at Odidini area, and she had four children Uleni, Nomndeni, Mpepho and Magcobo. His second wife was Khethiwe Gumede and she had three children including Thenga and Bayini. Khethiwe’s home was opposite Home Affairs. The third wife was Bazamile Makhanya and she lived at Tholeni village with her parents Mcamelo and Zinothi Makhanya. Bazamile had six children Bangifa, Ntiphani, Baphindile, Phiwaphi, Nomoya and Yintombi. The fourth wife was Ntombintombi Maphumulo from Ngonyameni opposite Pinetown, she had seven children Nomandima, Chiwe, Thiwani, Mkakwa, Funaziphi, Maduna and Jilima. Her first three children were born before marrying Nkantolo. The fifth wife is Zandile Shozi from KwaJokazi near Hammarsdale township. She has five children Bawelile, Netha, Bhanana, Khishelwa and Nze.

Mchijwa was the second son of Ndabambi, a younger brother to Nkantolo. He had two wives and 13 children. His first wife was Thuleleni Majola with seven children. And the second wife was Sphindile Maphumulo with five children. When Sphindile got married she was 16 years old.

Ntiphani was the son of Zinothi Makhanya and Ndabambi Shange. He had two wives and eleven children. His first wife was Miss Hlela and she have six children Bhekizitha, Phikizwi, Buyenzeni, Mponande, Thuleleni and Thulo. Bhekizitha and Mponande Shange died. In 1989 Mponande was killed during clan fighting and Phikizwi was shot during those fights and was paralysed. Bhekizitha was induna and he died in 1998.

Bhekizitha had two wives. Fukumela Ngcobo had eight children, named Mzwandile, Khiphokwakhe, Mfaniseni, Nkomba, Ngancengi, Sandile, Khumani and Bonginkosi. His second wife is Elizabeth Chonco from Richmond. She has six children: Mdumiseni, Phiweni, Lizweliyabongwa, Nomusa and Nombuso.
Mponande has one wife, Miss Ndimande and three children: Lindi, Yvonne and Sphephelo. Thuleleni is married to Dlomo and they have four children Zinhle, Sthembile, Bangiwe Mkhize.

Buyenzeni married to the Ngcongo family and have four children Bengazi, Mzamani, Bonisile and the last boy passed away. Thulo is married to the Ngcobo family and have six children Bhekiseni, Nkosinathi, Phumelele, Nelisiwe, Mthandeni and Khumbulani. Phikizwi had one child. And in my family we are seven and I am the last born, born in 1995, February 2.