Four new genera are described for four new species of Chironomidae from southern Africa.Paradoxocladius mangoldi(Orthocladiinae) is based on all life stages,Lunditendipes tropicum(Chironominae) on male adults,Xestotendipes sufflavus(Chironominae) on male and female adults, and Zuluchironomus demoori (Chironominae) on male and female adults. A highly apomorphic larva with a cleft mid-mentum, possibly belonging toZ. demoori, is also described. Some ecological details are given.