Deputy President pays tribute to late ruler of VhaVenda nation

The Tshivhase Day celebration, in honour of the former ruler of the Vhavenda nation, Mailausumbwa Rasimphi “Phiriphiri” Frans Tshivhase, took place at the Prince Thikhathali Stadium in Tshikombani village on Saturday, 14 October.

The event was held under the theme, “Celebrating the life and times of Mailausumbwa Rasimphi ‘Phiriphiri’ Frans Tshivhase’s contribution to the struggle for a free, just, and democratic South Africa”.

Addressing guests in his capacity as chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on matters relating to traditional and Khoi-San leaders, the South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said he was very proud to have been asked to deliver a keynote address during the event to celebrate the life of a freedom fighter such as Tshivhase, who had fought for both black and white to unite and live together as one people. “He fought fearlessly to protect his land and his people. He was at the forefront of all battles against the apartheid government, trying to prevent them from taking their land and their livestock,” said Mashatile.

Mashatile said they were considering erecting a statue of the late Tshivhase to acknowledge his achievements in the struggle.

In recognition of the heroic role he had played, former President Thabo Mbeki, on behalf of government and the people of South Africa, awarded Tshivhase the Order of Luthuli in Bronze in June of 2004. The Order of Luthuli recognises contributions to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation building, justice, or peace and conflict resolution. The order was founded only in 2003, which places Tshivhase among the first South Africans ever to be so recognised in 2004.

Speaking during the celebration, the current ruler of the Tshivhase Dynasty, Thovhele Mailausumbwa Prince Kennedy Tshivhase said his grandfather had also been very concerned about the health of his people and had established three well-known hospitals within his kingdom, namely the Donald Fraser Hospital, Siloam Hospital, and Tshilidzini Hospital. “Today, we are enjoying the fruits of freedom because of freedom fighters like him. We must keep his legacy alive and continue to fight for our own land and its resources,” he said.

The provincial chairperson of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), Mr Tony Rachoene, who also attended the event, implored Mashatile to see to it that traditional leaders throughout the country were all treated the same. “How do you explain the fact that chiefs in Limpopo are getting R8,000 per month, while their counterparts in the Eastern Cape and KZN are paid R40,000? Please, Mr Deputy President, look into this as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Date:19 October 2023

By: Victor Mukwevho

Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani joined the Mirror during it's inception in 1990. He joined the SABC newsroom in 1995, and was known by  listeners as "A u fhedzisela ari". He was a news editor for The Tembisan Newspaper from 2007 to 2015. He rejoined the Limpopo Mirror newspaper in June 2022 as a freelance journalist.

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