No sign of resolution in the Masia vs Matsila leadership dispute

A leadership feud, involving a politically well-connected community leader and one of the most senior Vhavenda traditional leaders, seems far from being settled. The battle between Livhuwani Matsila, commonly known as Chief Matsila, and Thovhele Nthumeni Masia may even lead to difficult decisions in the provincial government.

In December 2014, Masia oversaw the inauguration of Livhuwani Matsila as the new vhamusanda (chief) responsible for Matsila Tshisimani. In the years that followed, what gradually transpired was that animosity grew between the senior leader, Thovhele Masia, and his cousin, Livhuwani Matsila. One of Masia’s complaints was that Matsila dealt with government departments and other entities directly, completely ignoring him as the senior traditional leader in the area.

Matsila is politically well connected and is the secretary of the ANC’s national electoral committee. Many believe that his close ties with prominent politicians have opened various doors to obtaining funding for development projects. His Matsila Community Development Trust received more than R40 million from the National Lottery. In its latest annual performance plan, the Department of Tourism revealed that a tourist attraction at a total cost of R36.37 million was being funded at Matsila Lodge. Matsila often boasts about the fact that he is bringing development and job opportunities to the region.

The subtle war of words between Thovhele Masia and Chief Matsila turned into a much more direct feud when Masia announced on 23 September this year that he had demoted Matsila and taken away his position as vhamusanda. In a statement, he also indicated his support for a faction of the Matsila Royal Family, represented by Abraham Matsila.

This move was, however, not accepted by Livhuwani Matsila, and a day after Masia’s announcement, one of the Vhavenda’s highest-ranking leaders, Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase, was invited to inaugurate him as a thovhele. He was given a new name and the title of Thovhele Radzambo II. In a statement released during this inauguration, the “Matsila Royal House” said that it did not recognise Mbangiseni Masia as their senior traditional leader.

In a letter dated 10 October 2023, authorised by Abraham Matsila and Lucas Matsila, the “Matsila Royal Family” distance themselves from the inauguration and “misrepresentations” made. “We distance ourselves from and condemn a so-called installation ceremony of a thovhele in the Matsila area on 24 September 2023. The ceremony was illegal and was not in keeping with our traditions and customs. Those who understand our customs know in their hearts and minds that royal leaders are born and not elected,” said the family’s spokesperson, Balangani Matsila.

In the letter, the family also confirms that it is a constituent part of the Masia clan. “We rally behind the pronouncement made by Thovhele Nthumeni Masia, on 23 September 2023, to revert to an old arrangement of governance of the Matsila area. Working solidly with him, we shall work flat out to ensure governance is enhanced in the area. We also rally behind his leadership and wisdom that he has displayed in the traditional leadership project,” the letter reads.

In a telephonic interview, Thovhele Masia confirmed that he had demoted Livhuwani Matsila. On a question of whether this decision has been communicated to the provincial government, he answered that this was not necessary as the government had not yet recognized a traditional leader in the Matsila area. “Government has stopped recognising new traditional leaders. For our own administrative purposes, we gave him (Matsila) the status,” he said.

Masia said that Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase had no jurisdiction to appoint or inaugurate traditional leaders in areas controlled by other senior leaders.

This argument was supported by Abraham Matsila when he was asked whether the demotion of Livhuwani Matsila had been communicated to the Department of Co-operative Government, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta). “Coghsta does not know that he is a traditional leader in the first place. They never had him in their register. If we write to them, they will say ‘who are you talking about?’,” he said.

But Livhuwani Matsila does not agree with these arguments and denies that he had been removed by the royal family. “Mr Abraham Matsila does not represent the Matsila Royal Family, and he speaks for himself and a few disgruntled members of the family,” he said.

He explained that he had been identified as a senior leader by the former elder member of the family, Makhadzi Vho Muofhe Mashamba NwaMatsila. “Masia, therefore, has no authority to remove me without the approval of the Matsila Royal Family collective. Even today there is no letter from him informing me of my removal, as he only tried to pull a stunt through media announcements, and that did not work,” he said.

Matsila added that Thovhele Tshivhase had been invited by Vho Makhadzi of the Matsila Royal Family, in line with their customs, to install him to fill the vacancy of his grandfather, Khosi Vho Shandukani Matsila, whose status had always been equal to that of Masia and others. He said that the restoration of the Matsila Chieftaincy was a matter that had been lingering for some time now.

In a letter addressed to Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha, dated 26 October 2022, the Matsila Royal House refers to a meeting of the royal family held on 16 July 2022, where they resolved to request such recognition. In the letter, the historical background is also provided.

“The Matsila traditional community has been in existence for many decades and shares boundaries with the Mashau traditional community on the western and northern borders, while the Tshikali river separates us from the Masia traditional community on the eastern border. On the southern border, we share boundaries with the Nkuzana traditional community,” it states.

According to this presentation, the area has always had an independent traditional leader. “When Khosi Vho Shandukani Matsila passed away, one of his sons, Vho Samuel Matsila, was mysteriously installed as Vhamusanda of the Matsila traditional community under the Masia Traditional Authority, and this caused the derailment and unjust subjugation of the Matsila Chieftaincy,” it states.

According to the submission to the premier, the Matsila clan should again be recognised as an independent traditional authority. “It is envisaged that the present-day Matsila traditional community shall have at least six villages each, with a traditional leader under one senior traditional leader to be appointed by the Premier upon nomination by the Matsila Royal Family,” it states.

For the time being, Livhuwani Matsila is continuing to function as the traditional leader. “I have actually been elevated to be a senior traditional of the Matsila traditional community. There is no feud anymore according to my experience, and I run my community independently and without any hindrance. All the community projects are running smoothly, with beneficiaries employed under different sectors,” he said.

Date:15 December 2023

By: Anton van Zyl

Anton van Zyl has been with the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror since 1990. He graduated from the Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg) and obtained a BA Communications degree. He is a founder member of the Association of Independent Publishers.

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