Former South African president Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo (a village in Mthatha). On 2 March 2004 Umtata was officially renamed to its current name Mthatha. Walter Sisulu, Bantu Holomisa, Yamkela Mhlana and Buyisiwe Yonela Mhlana , as well as Ndima Mhlana were also born in Mthatha.