Mlawu ka Rarabe was a son of Rarabe ka Phalo, the founder of the Rarabe sub-group of the Xhosa nation.
Mlawu is known to have had three sons of which the Great son Ngqika ka Mlawu disposed of his uncle Ndlambe ka Rarabe as paramount chief of the Rarabe. The other two sons where Ntimbo ka Rarabea(Right Hand son)nd Hobe ka Rarabe.
Mlawu died in 1782