Tshithuthani’s oldest gogo (104) passes away
Makhadzi Vho Phophi is survived by her last-born son, 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
LIMPOPO – Makhadzi Vho Phophi Masiavhula Gumbo Nwendamatswu Tshitangoni from Tshithuthuni village in Nzhelele, passed away peacefully on March 18 at the age of 104 years.
She was buried on March 22 at the Nwendamutsu royal graveyard (Tshiendeulu) in Tshixwadza village.
According to the chairperson of Sanco Tshithuthuni, Thinawanga Malise, Makhadzi Vho Phophi is the oldest person in Tshithuthuni and probably also the oldest person in the Nzhelele valley.
“Makhadzi Vho Phophi was born on June 12, 1920 in Tshixwadza village at the Nwendamutsu royal house. She was the firstborn of the late Khosi Vho Nthangeni Nwendamutsu and his wife, Muthelo Nwendamutswu. She had two siblings, Sophia and Thongwa Nwendamutswu.”
Makhadzi Vho Phophi was married to the late Frans Tshitangoni from Fefe village. They had two sons and two daughters, Samuel, Merinah, Violet and Simon (Mbulaheni). She moved to Tshithuthuni in 1978 where she stayed until her death.
She is survived by her last-born son, 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
When her father passed away, her brother, Thogwa was inaugurated as khosi but his reign only lasted for three months until he gave the chieftaincy Makhadzi Vho-Phophi who was the rightful heir as the oldest child (she was initially not given the chieftaincy because she is a woman).
Still, she gave the reigns to her oldest son, Samuel and she became a makhadzi.
The Nwendamutswu Royal family lost nine of its members in a horror crash near Polokwane on September 6, 2022, just four days before they could inaugurate a successor for the late Vhamusanda Samuel Nwendamutswu, Makhadzi Vho Phophi’s oldest son.
Malise said that to the Tshithuthuni community, Vho Phophi was a custodian of indigenous knowledge and a well-respected cultural teacher.
“She willingly shared her knowledge and skills with our community, she was an inspiration to many young girls and influential to their womanhood through the cultural domba dance as their principal. She encouraged our community to be self-reliant by having a backyard garden in every household. She upheld the values and norms of the African culture until her last breath. We will forever miss her wisdom and advice,” he concluded.
