… Making it the most popular surname both in Eswatini and South Africa
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE – It has been statistically proven that the majority of people in Eswatini and South Africa are Dlamini’s.
The latest statistics, as revealed by Forebears, state that over 310 000 people in South Africa bear the Dlamini surname- a surname which has its origins in Eswatini. Worth noting is that even though it is not statistically proven, the Dlamini surname is one of the most common surnames in the country (Eswatini).
This new information by Forebears was revealed this morning the Outlier, a South African publication that uses graphics, graphs and visuals to report on issues.
According to the newly-revealed statistics, following the Dlamini surname with popularity is the Nkosi surname, with over 301 00 people bearing the surname. Following the Nkosi surname is Ndlovu with 282 000 people bearing the surname and Khumalo with 273 000 South African’s bearing the surname.
When sought for comment, Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stanley Dlamini, speaking as a Heritage Expert, said the surname Dlamini was not only popular in the two mentioned countries, but also in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
“Many Zimbabweans bear the surname Dlamini. I will make one example of once celebrated actor, Luthuli Dlamini. He is from Zimbabwe and not South Africa or Eswatini,” explained Dlamini.
Further explaining, Dlamini said the surname was also found in some parts of Mozambique, in the Tembe tribe and some parts of Kenya.
“If we can trace very well, the surname has travelled from Kenya and trickled down to Mozambique and then Eswatini, South Africa and other parts of the sub-Saharan region.
“Just like the Nkosi’s did, the surname is expected to have evolved with history but it does not change the fact that the clan name is Dlamini’s,” said Dlamini.
The Heritage Expert these statistics proved the memories of migration.
“In the Eastern Cape, there is even a Dlamini clan with a chief. This is proof of memories of migration which birth memorial landmarks marked by the surnames,” he said.
