The village of Makonde will be saying a sad farewell to one of its oldest residents this weekend. Mr Petrus Tshiawelo Munzhelele Mankhili, commonly known as Vho-Tomola, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home last Saturday (7 August) at the age of 100.
Mankhili was born on 26 February 1922. Regarded as a "walking encyclopaedia" by the locals because of his sharp memory, Vho-Tomola left a lasting legacy as a respected crop and stock farmer for the larger part of his life. He owned a huge head of cattle, goats, and chickens and cultivated vegetables and tobacco for his customers, who hailed from different areas around Vhembe. He was also highly respected and loved for helping the poor with the little he generated from his farming enterprises.
Many people will remember him for being a land-ownership activist after he refused to be moved to a new demarcated site by the then Apartheid government. While all his neighbours moved to their new sites, Vho-Tomola and his family remained at Lufulalunwe (the sub-village of Makonde), where he continued farming on his vast piece of land. Over the years, many other people had started to return to Lufulalunwe.
One of Vho-Tomola's children, Nndweleni Mankhili, who is a well-known insurance broker, talked to this newspaper about his father's death. "We thank God for giving us a wonderful father who had been there for us throughout the years. His having passed on at the age of 100 clearly demonstrates that our father was a very special man who was protected by God for good reasons. He worked hard for his family and provided for fellow community members because he had a good and generous heart."
Nndweleni said that his father had encouraged them to work hard for themselves. "He used to tell us that wealth comes from the soil. That is why myself and my younger brother, Dr Mmboswobeni Mankhili, are respected crop farmers within our community. We will always remember his love, hard work and advice. He was a wise man who could help everyone with his wisdom and knowledge."
Makonde village's traditional leader, Musanda Vho-Tshinetise Tshedza Ravhura, said he had learnt of Vho-Tomola's passing with shock. "We have lost a great advisor whose knowledge of our culture and traditions will be sorely missed. We are currently in the process of compiling a database of all the old people in my village, so that we can document their knowledge before they pass on. It is a pity that Vho-Tomola passed on before we could sit down with him and document everything, so that his valuable knowledge can be passed on to the next generation. May his soul rest in peace," he said.
Vho-Tomola was happily married to his three wives, Vho-Muofhe (deceased), Vho-Masindi (deceased) and Vho-Tshinakaho. He is survived by her and his many children. A memorial service will be held in his honour today (Thursday, 11 August), followed by his burial at the family's sacred burial site at Makonde Lufulalunwe at 06:00 on Friday (12 August).