At a time when traditional-leadership squabbles have become the order of the day, one of the most senior and prominent traditional leaders in Limpopo, Thovhele Nkhaneni Ramovha, has urged the Vandalamo/Tshishonge clan to unite and work towards development in their areas.
Thovhele Ramovha, who is also a businessman of note, was speaking during a meeting held at his traditional offices in Mulenzhe, outside Malamulele. The meeting, aimed at fostering unity among the various houses in the clan, took place on Saturday, 20 July.
One of the organisers of the function, Mr. Alpheus Tshishonga, said the event was meant to bring together the different houses under the Vandalamo clan, who are scattered all over Vhembe. "We form one of the largest royal families in Vhembe, and we have not met for a long time. We felt it was time we came together and planned for our future," he said.
During the meeting, a committee was elected to oversee the affairs of the Vandalamo clan. "We have identified local economic development as a driver that could alleviate unemployment in our areas. We have many natural resources that, if developed, could create numerous jobs. We also discussed crime and gender-based violence, which are unacceptable in our family. We are excited that Thovhele Ramovha and Tshikundamalema were present and have committed themselves to this cause," he said.
Speaking during the function, Thovhele Nkhaneni Ramovha hailed the initiative as one of the best things to have happened, though he said it was long overdue. "The time has passed for us to direct our energies toward petty leadership squabbles. Let us all be united and fight a common enemy, which is poverty and unemployment. Let us use our God-given resources to develop ourselves," he said.