King Mthimkhulu II

Mthimkhulu II (Also known as Ngwadlazibomvu, Jobe) was King of the AmaHlubi people, a Bantu tribe from Southern Africa. He succeeded his father King Bhungane II,("Bhungan'omakhulukhulu") in 1800 and thus becoming the 6th King of the AmaHlubi to rule in what is now known as KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) as the tribe can trace its lineage to Great Lakes of Africa then later in the Lebombo mountains area.

Mthimkhulu (from Hlubi language "umuthi" means "tree" and "omkhulu" means "Great") hence "Mthimkhulu" means "Great Tree). He got this name because he had knowledge on kingship medicine and rainmaking of which neighboring tribes consulted with him such as King Sobhuza I of Swazi and amaNgwe tribe's leader . In modern day his name is widely misunderstood to mean "Great tree" (Nb: a tree is called "isihlahla" in Hlubi language).

In 1818 Dingiswayo (a Mthethwa) chief attacked and looted the AmaNgwane clan whom, to replenish their losses of cattle, attacked the Hlubi. Mthimkhulu II united with his brother from another Hlubi branch (Mpangazitha (Pakalita)) and died in the ensuing battle in about 1818. Mthimkhulu's full brother Marhwanqa assumed the regency on behalf of the heir Dlomo II who was still a minor. When Dlomo II ascended to the throne, he gathered his troops and marched to the Zulu country to fetch his uncle’s cattle which were kept in safety by the Zulu King Dingane kaSenzangakhona for the regent Marhwanqa in the midst of his troubles with Dlomo II who himself was claiming his rightful position from his uncle. His reign was however short lived as Dingane (a Zulu King) ordered the murder of the new Hlubi king which gave way for Langalibalele I to become the king of AmaHlubi.