For 45 years, Vhamusanda Vho Tshamaano Philemon Netshitungulwane led Tambaulate village outside Thohoyandou with wisdom and empathy. Villagers are now mourning his passing on Monday, 2 February.
Tambaulate falls under the Mulenzhe Traditional Council. Under Netshitungulwane’s leadership, the village had churches but no liquor outlets, as he rejected such applications, citing the risk of alcohol abuse among the youth.
Installed in 1981, Netshitungulwane was one of the oldest traditional leaders in the region. He passed away in hospital at the age of 88 after a long illness.
Family spokesperson Elia Netshitungulwane said he would be remembered as a champion of development.
“He worked with different stakeholders to make sure that the village has reliable access roads, electricity, water supply and other basic services. To promote agricultural self-sustainability, he developed a strategy that compels all households in his village to have vegetable gardens and fruit trees. As a natural environmentalist, he would not allow anyone to cut indigenous trees without a valid reason. That is why we still have a lot of indigenous trees in our village. He was also in the forefront of the Vhuronga land claim which is currently in process,” said Elia.
Senior traditional leader Thovhele Vho Nkhaneni Ramovha described Netshitungulwane as the driving force behind the sustainability of the Mulenzhe Traditional Council.
“Among his peers, he was the only surviving elder who initiated me when I was installed as Thovhele in 1991. Since then, he has held several leadership positions with distinction in our tribal council until his last day on earth. As a wise elder, he was also responsible for guiding and providing traditional leadership skills when we install young traditional leaders,” said Ramovha.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday at Musanda Tambaulate, and he was laid to rest according to Vhandalamo traditional burial rites on Wednesday, 11 February.