Chief Ramugondo buried at Ngudza village

One of the senior traditional leaders in the Vhembe region of Limpopo, Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase, has used the funeral service of the late Chief Ratshalingwa Ramugondo to cement his good relationship with Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana.

“King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana has sent me to address the mourners. I am the king’s aid and I am happily working under him in an effort to bring real development to our communities,” said Thovhele Tshivhase.

He said he was very sad as the late Chief Ramugondo “was my good messenger and an eye when I am not there. He worked very hard and dedicated to serve his communities in Ngudza village and to the Tshivhase communities in particular,” Tshivhase said.

As usually happens in the Vhavenda culture, when a chief is installed or buried, the tshikona dance was part of the funeral proceedings. Chief Ramugondo (75) of Ngudza village outside Thohoyandou passed away a fortnight ago at the MediClinic in Polokwane after a short illness.
Mr Nnditsheni Ramugondo read the orbituary and said the late Chief Ramugondo had been installed as chief of Ngudza village in 1986, after he had succeeded his father, Chief Mmbulaheni Ramugondo. He said Chief Ramugondo served as the chairperson of the Tshivhase Tribal Council under the leadership of Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase for almost 30 years.

The mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality, Cllr Grace Mahosi, applauded Chief Ramugondo’s “wisdom and visionary leadership skills, when he served in many committees in the municipality. He used to advise us as the municipality about the developmental projects and programmes affecting his communities.”

Date:01 July 2015

By: Silas Nduvheni

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