Sibanda


Sibanda is a predominantly Ndebele surname and is found mostly in Matebeleland in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Sibanda clan was once united as the Batau and they trace their origin from the Swazi. The clan totem is a lion. During the Mfecane, Mzilikazi defeated their king and most were assimilated into his group. Most then moved north with Mzilikazi to create the Ndebele state of Matebeleland. The legendary leader of Mzilikazi's Mgoqo regiment, Nkatiwo was from the Sibanda clan. The remaining Batau were overwhelmed by the Bapedi and were assimilated. Although they remain distinctly Batau, they are now Sothoised and they now speak Northern Sotho. Some use the Sebata surname but there are many surnames under the Batau clan.
Notable people with the surname include: