Manentsa Family

The Magubevu Clan is made up of several clan families with different names who all have common ancestral origin and pledge allegiance to common ancestry. All the families are united by the recognition of being a Gubevu or Maduna clan member and are considered to be related by blood. The Modern day Manentsa family members are spread throughout South Africa with high concentrations recorded in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng provinces. The family members hold strong connections to their rural roots and often travel to the villages of the Eastern Cape to observe different types of cultural ceremonies. In modern times clan members who live in urban and metropolitan areas continue to follow cultural practices learnt from forefathers and thus preserve cultural prescription. Family and clan members are conscious of the need to raise and expose their offspring to the dictates of culture as the cornerstone of cultural survival. In competition with other cultures of the world, it is of vital importance to preserve our culture and to protect it from extinction. We are proud of our cultural origins and we honor our forefathers and ancestors by constantly acknowledging their spiritual presence in our daily life struggles and joys. We reach out to other members of our clan to extend solidarity and unity.
Oral history narrated by elders suggets that Manentsa is one of three brothers, the others being Mpangeva and Dyantjie. These three brothers have their origins traced from the village of Ngxalawe in the district town of Keiskammahoek. The three brother's all share common ancestory which is derived from the family tree of Gubevu, Maduna, Nokhala, Msuthu, Jiyane, Salakulandelwa and Tiba. The Manentsa family tree is the bigger of the three brothers and is spread throughout the villages surrounding the town of Keiskammahoek. The family has spread to towns such as Qonce and East London with the majority of its members residing in Mdantsane township. The family has also populated parts of the former Transkei regions such as Mthatha and Qumbu including villages like Chulunca whose family members have direct links to the Ngxalawe stronghold of the family.