Tshivhase launches scathing attack on Ravhura

A senior traditional leader, Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, launched a scathing attack on one of the junior chiefs in the Tshivhase area, Chief Edward Ravhura. He addressed an event at Makonde on Saturday, to inform pupils on the importance of education. The event was organised by the local Sanco.

Tshivhase said he was disappointed that the community of Makonde was led by person who was not capable of doing his job. "I am urging you pupils to defy such type of traditional leader. I am urging you to go and challenge this traditional leader and ask him what he is doing for you as a community. I am giving you permission to challenge him. He is a human being. You must not be afraid to challenge him.”

He added that it was because of his education that he served as the youngest member of parliament in 1994. "Today I am chairperson of the Commonwealth Association in the country because of my educational qualifications. I am also a member of the SAA board, deputy chairperson of the Road Agency in Limpopo and of the Univen Council. All these happened not because I am a traditional leader, but because I have an education. I am contributing to the development of the community," said Tshivhase.

In response, Ravhura, who left the event shortly before Tshivhase arrived, said he was not ashamed that he is not educated. "As people we must love and accommodate each other, irrespective of our educational qualifications. I don't care about people who always speak negative things about others. It is good that Tshivhase is educated, but he must not criticize others for not being educated. If traditional leadership were all about education, his father would not have been there,” Ravhura stated. 

He also questioned the “type of message is Tshivhase is sending, if he encourages pupils to be against us. I only knew Tshivhase for the past eight months when I was installed. I don't take him as an enemy.”  Ravhura added that Tshivhase was his senior, but that he must not undermine him “as we are all children of God."

Date:31 July 2015

By: Ndivhuwo Musetha

Read: 4193