Although President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa could not attend the ceremony at Khalavha village the past weekend where a new traditional leader was installed, he sent the new Vhamusanda four of his prized Ankole cattle as a gift. Ramaphosa's ancestral home is Khalavha village, just outside Thohoyandou.
The new traditional leader, Vhamusanda Miri i a Vhavha Tshivhase, was inaugurated during a well-attended function on Saturday. President Ramaphosa was represented by Vhamusanda Livhuwani Matsila and the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Vhamusanda Matsila advised the new leader to always act in the best interests of his community by spearheading projects that create jobs and grow the local economy. "Please lead by example and serve your community with dignity, pride and dedication," Matsila said.
Vhamusanda Miri i a Vhavha Tshivhase succeeds his late father, Vhamusanda Mpfuneni Tshivhase, who passed away in 2024. During the ceremony, Anza Tshivhase was named the new ndumi, while Fulufhedzani Tshivhase was named khadzi.
Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, who conducted the ritual himself, described the new traditional leader as a hardworking person, ready to serve his community. "I can assure you, very soon Khalavha village will change for the better, getting better services and being more supportive in educational matters. There will be no young unemployed people roaming the streets in Khalavha without jobs," said Tshivhase.
He said the region needs self-reliant young people, "taught to fish, so that they can fish for themselves".
"We do not want crimes such as stealing and theft, ritual murders and burglary happening here, as you have an educated new traditional leader who wants to encourage his young people to take education seriously," Tshivhase added.
Vhamusanda Miri i a Vhavha Tshivhase told the media after the ceremony that he had three pillars for developing the village: infrastructure development, clean water in the pipes, and reliable Internet access, so that young people could make use of online learning in their homes. He said cultural activities, sports development and education were close to his heart.