The Northern Khwe

In modern times the Vekuhane have comprised approximately a third of the population of the Zambezi (Eastern Caprivi) Province of Namibia as well as two thirds of the inhabitants of the Chobe District, along with much of the indigenous population along the northern bank of the Zambezi between Katima Mulilo and Kazungula in western Zambia. Additional Vekuhane concentrations in Botswana are found at Gumare in Ngamiland and the Boteti sub-district around Rakops.

The total Vekuhane population has never been especially large, with Shamukuni in 1972 estimating that altogether they “number well over 16,000”. While exact figures are difficult to come by in the context of “non-tribal” basis post-colonial censuses, as well as their historic status subjects of the Malozi kings and widespread intermarriage with other groups, available documentation indicates roughly similar numbers of Vekuhane now living within Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.