How Do You Spell KWANDEBELE?

Pronunciation: [kwˈandɪbˌɛl] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Kwandebele" is unique and can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with the pronunciation. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is spelled /kwændɪˈbeɪli/. The combination of the letters "kw" represents a voiceless labialized velar stop sound, while "nd" creates a voiced alveolar nasal sound. The final "ele" is pronounced with a diphthong, starting with an open-mid front unrounded vowel sound /ɛ/ and transitioning to a near-close near-back vowel sound /ɪ/. Overall, the pronunciation of "Kwandebele" requires careful attention to its unique spelling.

KWANDEBELE Meaning and Definition

1. Kwandebele refers to a former bantustan or semi-independent homeland in South Africa that existed during the apartheid era. With a name meaning "place of the Ndebele" in the indigenous Ndebele language, Kwandebele was established as a homeland for the Ndebele people in 1981 by the apartheid government.

   Located in the northeastern part of South Africa, Kwandebele functioned as a separate territory from the rest of the country. It encompassed various towns and rural areas, including Siyabuswa, KwaMhlanga, and Kwaggafontein.

   The establishment of Kwandebele was part of the apartheid government's policy of forced segregation and discrimination against non-white South Africans. Its creation aimed to remove Ndebele people from areas designated for white settlement and confine them to a designated region, thus reinforcing racial segregation.

   Kwandebele had its own government and institutions, including a legislative assembly and a president. However, its governance was under the control of the apartheid regime, which provided limited resources and dependencies for the residents.

   Following the end of apartheid in the early 1990s, Kwandebele was dismantled, and its territory was reincorporated into South Africa. The Ndebele people regained their South African citizenship and the region was integrated into the surrounding provinces, primarily Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

Etymology of KWANDEBELE

The word "Kwandebele" has its origins in the Nguni languages, particularly in the Zulu and Swazi languages spoken in South Africa and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), respectively.

"Kwandebele" is a proper noun that refers to a former black homeland or bantustan in South Africa. It was established during the apartheid era as part of the South African government's policy of forced segregation and separation of different racial groups. The name itself can be dissected into two parts: "Kwa" and "Ndebele".

1. "Kwa": In the Nguni languages, "kwa" usually indicates "place" or "land". It is commonly used as a locative prefix in various place names across southern Africa.