Cultural festivity marks Netshiavha’s funeral

The funeral service of a well-known teacher, cultural activist, chorister and community leader, Thinawanga Emmanuel Netshiavha, resembled a cultural festival as traditional dance groups gave sterling performances to give him a fitting send-off.

“Very few people are accompanied to their final resting places with traditional dances and ululations. The fact that we had light showers this morning also indicated that we are not burying an ordinary person here. Of course, our brother was buried like a king. He is gone too soon. He was so fresh, full of courage and handsome,” said family member Rudzani Netshiavha during the funeral.

Netshiavha’s best friend, Omo Musandiwa, said: “My best friend is gone. We used to enjoy traditional dances together. He was a traditionalist at heart. That is why we had a night vigil beating the drums and dancing malende at his house yesterday. I’m really shocked and heart-broken.”

Netshiavha, who passed away after a short illness, was buried alongside the grave of his late his mother, Marandela Tshinakaho Netshiavha, at the family’s burial site at Makonde village. At the time of his death, he was a teacher at Khadzinge Secondary School, outside Sibasa. He previously worked at Hasani Mningisi, Tshivhase and Johannes Mulambilu Secondary School.
A member of Bono Traditional Dance group and a smart dresser, Netshiavha was also involved in training school pupils in traditional dancing, singing and cultural activities. Affectionately known as Thina, many will remember him for his acrobatic malende and tshifasi dancing skills, both in government and community activities.

Born on 17 April 1970, Netshiavha started his primary education at Miluwani Primary School. He completed his Grade 12 at Khwevha Commercial School in 1988. He obtained his Secondary Teacher’s Diploma at the Venda College of Education (Veco) in 1992 and a degree in education at the University of Venda in 2008. He also completed his honours degree from the same institution in 2012.

During his teaching career, Netshiavha served as class manager, subject teacher, choir conductor, sports organizer, school uniform controller, educator’s representative, school liaison officer, chairperson of the commercial subjects committee, acting head of department and trainer of traditional dances. He served as school-governing-body member for Marude, Khadzinge, Mvudi and Thohoyandou Secondary School. At the time of his death, he was Sanco chairperson at Mvudi Park where he was staying.

In his role as active member of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), Netshiavha became chairperson of arts and culture for Vhembe District from 2009 until his untimely death. He was a choir trainer for SADTU’s Phiriphiri branch and also a coordinator for cultural indeginous games at Bono Traditional Community Project and Dzomo la Mupo Foundation.
While Thinawanga was at Veco, he got involved in student politics when he was serving in the student representative council. This got him into trouble with the college managagement as he was expelled from the college. On appeal, he got an 18-month suspension. He later came back to the college after serving his suspension. This resulted in huge personal cost to him and his family as he was not able to finish his teacher’s diploma on time. However, his family supported him throughout as they understood and agreed with his support of the struggle.

He was a staunch member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Netshiavha is survived by his wife, Gladys, and four children – Tsiko, Tshinakaho, Hulisani and Okhethwaho. 

Date:19 August 2015

By: News Correspondent

Correspondent journalists from all over the region supply us with news and sport articles. 

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