He is maternal cousin to AmaRharhabe King Jonguxolo Sandile.
He was declared as AmaMpondomise King after AmaMpondomise were stripped of their status by the Union of South Africa in 1904 after King Mhlontlo was accused of killing a Qumbu magistrate, Hamilton Hope, and two white police officers during the Mpondomise Revolt in 1880–81. Although Mhlontlo was acquitted of the murder charge, he lost his kingship by administrative action. The AmaMpondomise nation's hopes were again dashed during the democratic dispensation when the Nhlapo Commission found in 2005 that they had no claim to a kingship. However, a 115-year battle, for this anti-colonial nation, to get their king and kingdom reinstalled and reinstated respectively, ended when the Eastern Cape High Court (Mthatha) officially recognised the AmaMpondomise's kingship. It ordered that the kingship be reinstated. With the presiding judge setting aside the Tolo Commission's decision to oppose the AmaMpondomise's claim of kingship.[2]
His coronation was delayed by Dosini cousins who were also claiming the kingdom to themselves but lost court case against Matiwane's kingship rights.[3][4]