Senior traditional leader Thovhele Thivhulawi Makumbane has implored residents of Tshisahulu to emulate the good work and life well lived by the late community leader, Mr Johannes Risimati Khambane. Makumbane spoke during a remembrance ceremony in Khambane's honour at Tshisahulu Mugumo, outside Thohoyandou, on Friday, 16 June.
A statue of Khambane was unveiled and the local Mugumo Graveyard was renamed after him. Thovhele Makumbane also officially unveiled a signboard bearing the name "Khambane". The ceremony was the brainchild of Mugumo United Brothers, an organisation established in the village to assist families in times of bereavement and other occasions.
Khambane's relatives, mostly from the Collins Chabane Municipality, the local community, and an entourage from the Makumbane Royal Council attended the ceremony.
Khambane, a dedicated community leader who served on structures such as the Tshisahulu Civic and Burial Society, among others, passed away last year. During his funeral, Mugumo United Brothers proposed that the local graveyard be renamed after him, in honour of the selfless contributions he had made in uplifting the lives of the people of Tshisahulu.
Thovhele Makumbane said the honour equalled the position and the work he had done for the community. "Khambane was a selfless and a very dedicated leader who ensured proper governance in this village. He was my pillar of strength, who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the lives of our people. His lived a good life and it is quite an emotional moment that we gather to celebrate and honour him. We call upon all to emulate his good deeds and work towards the development of this village. I also have the honour to announce that the Mugumo Cemetery will from today be named after him," he said.
The late leader's youngest child, Mr Tiyani Khambane, spoke fondly of how his father had loved them and taught them forgiveness as a family. "My father went through a lot in life, but he did not bear a grudge. He always taught us to forgive, no matter how much people wronged us," he said.
The chairperson of Mugumo United Brothers, Mr Thinandavha Mathoni, thanked Thovhele Makumbane for accepting their request and the honour he bestowed on their founding leader, Johannes Khambane.