LIMPOPO MIRROR
4 March 2022 3
Vho-Japan appointed as new regent of VhaVenda Princess Masindi believes kingship issue can still be resolved outside the courts
on the government to stop paying Toni’s salary did the process A seemingly slightly reluctant gain momentum. Masindi Mphephu-RamabuIn December last year, the lana accepted the appointLimpopo Mirror reported on a ment of her grandfather, R5,7 million security contract Vhavenda Mavhungu David awarded by the Department Mphephu, better known as of Co-operative Government, Vho-Japan, as the regent Human Settlements and Traor temporary king of the ditional Affairs (Coghsta) for The Supreme Court of Appeal Vhavenda. The royal family Toni Mphephu-Ramabulana’s (SCA) initially allowed him to announced on Tuesday that protection. At that stage, he continue in an acting capacity Vho-Japan will serve in this was also still receiving his salaposition until such time as the after this court had overturned ry of R1,2 million per year and the decision of former presicourts have provided clarity benefits. This was only stopped dent Jacob Zuma to appoint on the kingship issue. at the end of January this year. him as king. “The Princess wishes to The initial fears were that The matter then went to the congratulate her grandfather the royal family would simply Constitutional Court and in and reiterates her conviction re-elect Toni as regent, but this November last year this court that the matter can be ventidid not happen and, following set aside the privileges claimed preliminary meetings and lated without any further legal wrangling. She remains open to by Toni Mphephu Ramabupostponements, a decision lana. The judges agreed with engagements with the family. was made earlier this week to Once more, the Princess thanks Masindi’s legal team that this appoint Vho-Mavhungu David the family for this positive step inevitably leads to a situation Mphephu. where the regent has no reason towards the right direction,” Even though Masindi refers to change the status quo. Fear the statement released by the to Vho-Japan as her grandfaMasindi Mphephu Foundation existed that Toni would unnec- ther, he is actually an uncle of essarily delay the court process, hers on her late father’s side. reads. because finalising the case was He is the younger brother The Ramabulana royal not in his interest. family came under a lot of of both Toni and Masindi’s The ConCourt ruling initially fathers. pressure the past few months to appoint a regent in the place did not speed up matters, and Vhavenda Royal family of Toni Mphephu Ramabulana. only after pressure was applied spokesperson Ntsieni Ramabulana said that the family had taken a long time to come to the decision on the matter to avoid making mistakes. “His appointment was unanimous, with no one opposing the name in the family,” Ramabulana said. “He is the most suitable candidate in the family, taking into consideration his age and his experience in traditional governance. He has been around for some time, and we have no doubt he will lead this nation and family with distinction, until such time the court case is finalised,” Ramabulana said. Commenting after the announcement was made, Thovhele Luvhaivhai Tshivhase of the Tshivhase Dynasty applauded the family for its decision. “At long last it seems as if there is light at the end of the tunnel. Mphephu is the right person, and we believe this will give the family enough time to think and do the right Vhavenda Mavhungu David Mphephu, better known as Vho-Ja- thing by installing the rightful heir to the throne,” Tshivhase pan, was appointed as the regent or temporary king of the said. Vhavenda. By Elmon Tshikhudo
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De Beers Venetia Mine donated 300 pairs of new school shoes and 52 boxes of sanitary towels to the Blouberg and Musina Local Municipalities to be distributed to 24 schools in their labour-sending communities last week. The donation is one of many corporate social-investment programme initiatives undertaken by the mine. In accepting the donation on behalf of the schools within the Musina area, Mayor Nkhanedzeni Godfrey Mawela said the donation could not have come at a better time as many parents from disadvantaged backgrounds had been struggling to afford essential items for their children in the run-up to the start of the new school year. Pictured from left to right are Musina Municipality’s representatives Cllr Corlett Nematshavhawe (Ward 3), Cllr Victor Manavhela (Head: Local Economic Development and Technical Services), Cllr Fistos Mafela (Chief Whip), Livhuwani Nwachukwu (Senior Manager, Socio-Economic development, De Beers Venetia Mine), Mayor Mawela, Phillip Tshivhundo (Security Manager De Beers Venetia Mine), Cllr Evelyn Siyaphi Shirilele (Speaker) and Nathi Tshiwanammbi (Municipal Manager).
Two boys drown in Nzhelele river at Tshikhudo village, near Dzanani, and walked for roughWith the temperature exceed- ly two and a half kilometres to ing 30 degrees Celsius in the reach the river. Nzhelele valley on Saturday Ms Delicious Nevhutalu, afternoon, 11-year-old Orifha Orifha’s aunt, said he had told Netshiavha and 12-year-old her he was going to play when Ntsieni Tshikonwane, along he left home. She assumed with five other friends, dethat the boys went swimming cided to go for a swim in the because it was very hot. “I was Nzhelele River near Mphaila busy attending my meetings village. No-one expected that when I received a call, telling Orifha and Ntsieni would me that two boys had drowned. never return from this fun We were later told that they are outing. from Ha-Tshikhudo. My heart The two boys left their home nearly stopped,” she recalled. By Maanda Bele
“We were told that they were jumping in and out of the water. This is very hard for the family to accept, but the community have been very supporting since all this started. We are very grateful,” she said. The spokesperson of the SAPS’ Makhado Cluster, Sgt Tshifhiwa Radzilani, confirmed the incident. The police are still investigating the matter. Orifha’s funeral was set to take place at Ha-Tshikhudo on Thursday (3rd).
