Thohoyandou

Thohoyandou is a town in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It is the administrative centre of Vhembe District Municipality and Thulamela Local Municipality. It is also known for being the former capital of the bantustan of Venda.

Thohoyandou is situated in the south of Vhembe district, on the main road between Louis Trichardt and the Kruger National Park. This is the lush agricultural centre of Vhembe, with banana plantations, subtropical fruit, tobacco and maize lands. Thohoyandou is surrounded by small rural townships such as Ngovhela, Vondwe, Phiphidi, Muledane, Shayandima, Makwarela, and Maniini.

History

Thohoyandou was the capital of the former bantustan of Venda. Its name means "head of the elephant" in the Venda language.

Economy

Thohoyandou is a typical African town, dominated by informal economy. There are hardly any job opportunities in Thohoyandou and the majority of its residents live in both relative and abject poverty. Nevertheless, it is the administrative centre of Vhembe District Municipality and Thulamela Local Municipality and houses several government department and district municipality offices.

Thohoyandou is the main development node in Thulamela Local Municipality with a total of approximately 500 000 residents within the boundaries of the town. It is further surrounded by numerous rural settlements situated on the outskirts of the built-up area.

Thohoyandou's CBD was originally designed as a super mall with large walkways full of water fountains, flowers and green areas. The parking lots were situated on the outsides and people would walk to the shops. Unfortunately, shortage of vacant land within the CBD has slowed down its growth and kept it from expanding further. On top of this, the CBD has suffered from a lack of maintenance in the past fifteen years.

Education

The town is home to the University of Venda. Several other post-matric schools are within the vicinity of the Town such as FET's and colleges.