Online Reporter
The Malaba people came to south western Zimbabwe in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. They are of Venda origins and are associated with the Thobela Mbedzi Mwali shrine at Njelele.
The Malaba chieftaincy is established in the Matobo district of Matabeleland South. The jurisdiction of Chief Malaba, resides the Nyubi, Sotho, Kalanga, Ndebele and the people of Venda origin. It is believed that the Malaba, Mabuza, Nkatha and Tshibale are the same people.
The Malaba were known because of their spiritual gifts and knowledge of charms and magic.
They later occupied senior positions in the Ndebele state as spiritual consultants and healers for kings Mzilikazi and Lobhengula.
It is believed that the Malaba people are VhaVenda people who were assimilated by the BaKalanga people and thus adopted the Ncube totem.
The Malaba people generally speak Kalanga and practice Kalanga customs and like the Kalanga, were subsequently assimilated by the Ndebele.
The VhaVenda who were assimilated into the Kalanga state adopted the Ncube clans and are divided into three clans: Ncube-Lubimbi, Ncube-Hobodo and Ncube-Malaba.
The Ncube-Lubimbi clan is responsible for the Mwali cult which has rain- making shrines located at Njelele, Dula and Whililani in the Matopo Hills of ZimbabweThe Malaba clan is the one that holds the title of rulers.
The Hobodo clan which is said to be responsible for traditional medicine, herbs and charms.
The Malaba/ Lubimbi/ Hobodo clan praises are: Thobela, Mbedzi, Venda, Babvumbibevula, Mbibhanyiwahongwe, Bankukutuselutombo, Tombotjisipotelekwe, Tjopotelekwa ikabe mibvumbi,
Bantandabale, Banotandabala ikabe mibvumbi, Mazanazwibuya, Banozana vula ikana, BagudubaNjelele, Bakalunji gusipfumengubo, Gosimilapfumapasi, Bampani usinamhako, Wakatjidza sindiyanyala!
The succession hierarchy of the Malaba chieftaincy in Matobo district is as follows: Tshidada, Ntelela, Joseph and David (current chief).
