Former correctional services boss buried

The former regional commissioner for correctional services in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West Region (LMN), Chief Watson “Dzudzanyani” Tshivhase, was described as a strategic thinker, brilliant visionary and one of the Tshivhase royal family’s great intellectuals.

Tshivhase (67), who also served as prison director for the Kutama-Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison died on 24 December after a long illness, and was buried at the Mianzwi sacred burial site (Zwiendeulu) on Saturday.

“He filled big shoes and left deep tracks in the LMN region and he generously shared his knowledge, his expertise and his skills with officials from all ranks. Sorrow fills our hearts at this sad event,” said the deputy regional commissioner for LMN, Ms Ruth Letsoalo.

Letsoalo added that Tshivhase was living proof of how fine a leader could be, because he showed he was good boss to the people under his command.

Tshikona dancing, which is danced when a Vhavenda chief is installed or buried, was part of the funeral proceedings.

Family spokesperson Mr Lambani Tshivhase said that Dzudzanyani Tshivhase joined the prison services in 1972 after being arrested several times for violating the group areas act, which controlled where black people could work and stay during the apartheid era.

Tshivhase obtain number of degrees from the University of Venda and a masters degree from the University of Pretoria. He majored in international politics and his thesis for his masters degree dealt with the role of the United Nations in the decolonization process of Namibia and the implementation of Security Council resolution 435. The focus on international politics and communications saw Tshivhase become a regular commentator on PhalaPhala FM, analyzing international political developments.

He also became a part-time lecturer in Public Administration and Local Government Administration at the University of Venda. Tshivhase was appointed and inaugurated as chief of Mianzwi village in 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline Tshivhase, six children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Date:09 January 2015

By: Silas Nduvheni

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