3 Junie 2016
Children’s Week
www.bulletin.us.com
7
Hollow secret
Local Government and could bring thousands of tourists to our area the news that matters A grand entrance to the world of tourism awaits Modjadjiskloof with the announcement and revealing of a secret cave, housing an enormous amount of historical evidence about the ancestors of the famous Rain Queen and her followers. Known as the Manokwe Caves, it served as a safe haven for the Modjadji folks over centuries against larger attacking tribes and other dangers. The caves were said to be big enough to harness a village of people and their livestock for weeks, avoiding the unsuspecting enemy. A feasibility study on the development of the cages for tourism was completed recently at a cost of R400 000 and presented to the Greater Letaba Municipality (GLM) by the Sustainable Tourism Institute of SA. Money was made available on the budget for the new financial year, to spend on the project. When fully developed, it could become one of the biggest draw cards in Limpopo for tourists worldwide. It may even become more popular than the existing cave spots such as the Cango Caves in the Little Karoo or the Sterkfontein Caves near Krugersdorp. The caves are in Malematja village and R1,6 million was allocated for the next financial year for the development of small infrastructure like the main entrance, toilets, fencing and a guard room. In the following year excavations will be done, although the development will be slow due to the lack of funds, said Ms Lovers Maenetje, spokesperson for the GLM. At this stage only two major cave sites are open to the public in Limpopo. They are the Makapan Caves near Mokopane and the Echo Caves west from the Strydom Tunnel in the east.
The Manokwe Caves is said to be about between seven and eight kilometres long, housing several large chambers and remnants of human activity from previous centuries. According to tradition ancestors of the Modjadji tribe fled from areas further north of Limpopo in the 17th century to settle in the hills of the kloof area and had access to land between Polokwane and Hoedspruit. It all started in the 17th century when Dzugundini, the daughter of Chief Monomotapa in Zimbabwe, fell pregnant by his son and had to flee southwards because of the scandal. She and her following settled in the Molototsi valley of the Balobedu kingdom. A baby was born and named Modjadji (ruler of the day), the Rain Queen. Since then five rain queens have reigned in the region, with the sixth now eleven years old and being educated in Johannesburg before she will be introduced to the regency in Modjadjiskloof. The Modjadji Royal Family has been declared an official kingdom by the SA government this year, making it one of ten kingdoms recognised by the state in the country. Very little is known about the caves, its size and hidden secrets. Well-known historian Prof Louis Changuion (of Haenertsburg) said he has heard of the caves, but still awaits more information on its history. A resident of Modjadjiskloof, Mr Pieter van Niekerk, said the caves could be part of a range of caves above the area where the Modjadji Royal Family reigns. As an ex-councillor of the GLM he regards the development of the caves as a major contributor to tourism in Modjadjiskloof in the future. — Louis Roux
Local elections are around the corner, and Bulletin continues to address issues affecting the residents of the municipalities in our area Bulletin’s team is working on the following issues that are certain to cause repercussions. On most of these issues we were waiting for information which we obtained too late for publication today. We thus recommend that you make sure to get next week’s edition (if you have any nerves left to digest more shocking news).
• More alarming information about Tzaneen’s electricity problems and the “dark” future waiting on residents; • Details about Mopani District Municipality’s budget for 2016/2017; • Something smells regarding the GTM’s outdoor advertising policy; and the municipality’s inexplicable lack of updated (valid) by-laws; • How come that one of the MDM’s prestige buildings are leaking like sand running through a screen?; • What is happening at Lepelle North Water who is supposed to protect our water resources and ensure that we enjoy constant supply?
louis@bulletin.us.com
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