New Chief reigns in Kutama

Chief Vele Prince Kutama was inaugurated as the new leader of the Kutama tribe during a ceremony at the Tshiungulela School´s sports grounds last Saturday.

Members of the communities from the surrounding villages of Kutama area flocked in numbers to attend the event. The ceremony was attended by, among others, King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, Thovhele Vho-Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, Thovhele Vho-Gole Mphaphuli, the MEC for Coghsta, Makoma Makhurupetja, and many chiefs around Vhembe.

After the death of Thovhele Peter Kutama in 2011, the royal family appointed his younger brother, Vele Prince Kutama, as the new Chief. The decision was put to the test by members of the family, who believe that customary practices were not followed when the decision was made. The family group, led by Aifheli Andries Kutama, filed papers in the High Court to oppose the decision of installing Vele as the leader instead of the late son, Mpho Andropov Kutama. Earlier this year, the two groups sat down and agreed that Vele be installed as the chief.

During the event on Saturday, King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said that community members must respect the new chief. He added that the chief must focus on developing the area. "We are appealing to the community to continue working closely with the newly installed Chief to develop the Kutama area," he said.

He further said that the community of Kutama must also support the newly inaugurated Chief for the development of the area. “I want to see development in this area. I always encourage good relations between traditional leaders and the municipality,” Mphephu said.

MEC Makona Makurupetja said the Limpopo Government was eager to work hand in hand with traditional leaders and every chief. "Traditional leaders are the backbone of democracy and they must be respected," she said.

In an interview with Limpopo Mirror, Thovhele Vho-Vele Kutama indicated that he was looking forward to working together with the community members of Kutama. He added that the community had to expect good things that he was planning to bring for the community in the village. “I am also going to encourage traditional dances, to restore the traditional values of the Vha-Venda people,” he outlined, adding that he was also ready to work with the police in terms of reduction of crime in the village.

Date:24 July 2015

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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