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Phakelumthakathi Ndabandaba

Actor, amabutho leader and public activist

By South African Index Editorial Desk · Published · Last reviewed

Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, known as Phakelumthakathi, during an Eyewitness News interview.
Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, known as Phakelumthakathi, during an Eyewitness News interview.: EWN; photographer not credited · Source. Resized and converted to WebP for this site.

Ndabandaba’s public work spans cultural leadership, television and political protest. Daily Sun identifies him as Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, from Nongoma, and describes his role leading amabutho. News reports use several spellings of his public name, Phakelumthakathi. [1]

Name and background

Eyewitness News identifies him as Nkosikhona Ndabandaba. The sources do not establish a precise birth date. [3]

Amabutho leadership in Nongoma

Daily Sun reported that Ndabandaba led the KwaMandlakazi regiment in Nongoma alongside other local cultural figures. His appearance leading amabutho at Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s funeral in Ulundi in 2023 brought him wider attention. The newspaper also reported his interest in encouraging young men to maintain their cultural responsibilities. [1]

Amabutho have historical, ceremonial and social functions. A leader of one regiment does not automatically speak for them all. [5]

Television and acting

Daily Sun reported his appearance in Smoke & Mirrors in June 2024. Acting became a second career alongside leading amabutho. [1]

A further Daily Sun interview in March 2026 discussed his boundaries as an actor, including his refusal to perform intimate scenes. It provides a later record of his continued engagement with television work. [2]

The June 2026 demonstrations

Ndabandaba helped lead the Durban march on 30 June 2026 with Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. He confirmed a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa before the demonstrations. [3]

Ndabandaba condemned looting and attacks elsewhere in KwaZulu-Natal. EWN described the march he led through Durban as largely peaceful. [3]

The Durban ICC indaba

East Coast Radio reported Ndabandaba’s role in the amabutho protest at the Ingonyama Trust meeting. He expressed concern that investment arrangements could place communal land at risk. That was his stated concern, rather than a finding that investors had stolen land. [4]

The same report records his explanation that the regiments stopped their protest out of respect for the amakhosi attending. SAI’s separate event report documents the disruption and subsequent apology, with original visual material. [4][6]

Key contributions

Ndabandaba’s documented cultural and creative work includes local amabutho leadership and television acting. His public activism placed him in debates about immigration enforcement and the administration of communal land. [2][3][4]

Life and career timeline

  1. Gained wider public attention while leading amabutho at Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s funeral. [1]

  2. Daily Sun reported his appearance in Smoke & Mirrors. [1]

  3. Discussed his acting career and performance boundaries. [2]

  4. Helped lead the Durban demonstration alongside Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. [3]

  5. Participated in the amabutho protest at the Durban ICC indaba. [4]

Frequently asked questions

What is Phakelumthakathi’s real name?

Daily Sun and Eyewitness News identify him as Nkosikhona Ndabandaba. [1][3]

Is Phakelumthakathi an actor?

Yes. His television work includes Smoke & Mirrors. Daily Sun interviewed him about acting again in March 2026. [2]

Does Phakelumthakathi lead all amabutho?

His documented role is associated with KwaMandlakazi in Nongoma. It does not establish authority over all regiments. [1][5]

Related people

  • Ngizwe Mchunu — Ngizwe Mchunu is a South African broadcaster, former Ukhozi FM presenter and public activist associated with Zulu cultural mobilisation.
  • Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma — Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is a South African radio personality and founder of March & March, a civic movement campaigning on immigration enforcement and citizen access to services.
  • King Misuzulu kaZwelithini — King Misuzulu kaZwelithini is the recognised King of the AmaZulu and the sole trustee of the Ingonyama Trust.

Related institutions and movements

  • March & March — March & March is a South African civic movement known for demonstrations demanding stronger immigration enforcement and the prioritisation of citizens in employment and services.

Related research

Sources

  1. Daily Sun, Amabutho leader now a TV star!, 2024-06-03. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-02. ↩
  2. Daily Sun, Actor and amabutho leader sets boundaries for acting career, 2026-03-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-02. ↩
  3. Eyewitness News, Phakelumthakathi distances himself from violence during anti-illegal immigration protests, 2026-07-01. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-02. ↩
  4. East Coast Radio, Zulu regiments storm Ingonyama Trust meeting, 2026-09-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-02. ↩
  5. Ditsong Museums of South Africa, Amabutho akwaZulu: royal patronage since the pre-Shakan era, 2023-02-21. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-02. ↩
  6. South African Index, Zulu regiments disrupt the Ingonyama Trust indaba: SAI reporting and visual record, 2026-09-30. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-02. ↩