Gcaleka kaPhalo

Who was Gcaleka kaPhalo?

Gcaleka ka Phalo was the founder of the Gcaleka people, a sub-group of the Xhosa nation.

Gcaleka was the third son of Phalo ka Tshiwo and had 3 known sons, Khawuta ka Gcaleka, Velelo ka Gcaleka and Nqoko ka Gcaleka. He became chief of the Gcaleka in 1775.

Gcaleka tried to usurp his farther's rule and interclan war broke out resulting in the Xhosa tribe to split into two major sub-groups, the Rarabe and Gcaleka.

Other sources state he became chief in 1750 and died in 1778.