The Ndebele, also called Transvaal Ndebele are a bantu-speaking people who today, live primarily in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces in South Africa. Historically they are referred to as the Matabele, which derives from the Sesotho expression “thebele”, which refers to people who sheltered behind tall cowhide shields. Their ancestry can be traced back to the Nguni people who migrated down the southeastern coast of Africa and settled at the site of modern Pretoria.

Today the Ndebele women continue their traditions of creating elaborate beadwork of all sorts and the painting of the walls of their homes in bright colors with geometric designs.  The Ndebele have retained many of their customs, but urbanization has affected their traditional cultural patterns.  Men are now employed in city or mining jobs.