Vhavenda king calls for unity among all traditional leaders, communities

VHAVENDA king, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, asked for unity among traditional leaders so that the delivery of services within communities could show visible improvement.

“We call on our traditional leaders to speak with one voice so that we can initiate community development projects together,” he said at the unveiling of his official photograph in the Thohoyandou legislature last Tuesday.

“We must be proud and honour the restoration of culture and customs of the Vhavenda kingship under the lineage of Mphephu Ramabulana,” he said.

The king was joined by the MEC for cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs, Ishmael Kgetjepe, the chairperson of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, kgoshi Solomon Dikgale, the mayor of Vhembe, Tshitereke Matibe, and several senior traditional leaders and residents.

Ramabulana slammed traditional leaders who did not respect and honour his kingship and warned them that they were under his power, as his kingship was recognised by the government.

In August 2010, president Jacob Zuma released the findings of the Nhlapo Commission on traditional leadership disputes in Venda.

The commission ruled that the Vhavenda kingship should be restored under the lineage of Mphephu Ramabulana and king Toni Mphephu Ramabulana was identified as the rightful heir to the throne.

Kgetjepe said the unveiling of the king’s official photograph was symbolic of the government’s recognition of the Ramabulana’s kingship.

“We must honour the king as he represents us all. Government is committed to support all traditional affairs and urge the traditional councils and offices to show respect,” Kgetjepe said.