Behind the Name
Every name carries a story.
UPHAWU represents more than a name. It reflects our identity, values, and the stories we seek to uncover and share.
The Meaning
UPHAWU means a “mark/sign/symbol”. The word comes from Southern African Bantu languages,
namely isiXhosa, isiZulu, and isiNdebele.
A MARK
Physical or symbolic, visible or unseen.
A Story
Each marks tells a story.
A connection
Connecting individuals to their heritage
and shared community.
Why Uphawu
A mark is the beginning of a story.
It can signal belonging, trace history and unlock identity. Through UPHAWU, we honour the marks: not only on the body, but in places, objects, archives and memories that carry our stories.
