Lwamondo
| Lwamondo | |
|---|---|
  Lwamondo Lwamondo shown within South Africa
| |
| Coordinates: 23°00′40″S 30°21′25″E / 23.011°S 30.357°ECoordinates: 23°00′40″S 30°21′25″E / 23.011°S 30.357°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Limpopo |
| District | Vhembe |
| Municipality | Thulamela |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 20.72 km2 (8.00 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 20,218 |
| • Density | 980/km2 (2,500/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011)[1] | |
| • Black African | 99.9% |
| First languages (2011)[1] | |
| • Venda | 96.9% |
| • Other | 3.1% |
| PO box | 0985 |
| Area code | 015 |
Lwamondo is a village in the Vhembe District Municipality, of Limpopo Province, South Africa. It has been ruled by Vho- Thovhele A. C. Nelwamondo, since 1971.
History
In comparison with all other Chiefs that came from Dzata, the Nelwamondo compare favourably to the other major chieftaincies of Venda. History indicates that these people used to live in the place called Phadzima, Vhulaudzi. The Singo’s were still based in Dzata at the time, and Nelwamondo was “Murambi wa dzunde” under Chief Thohoyandou.
When Govhamasenga left Dzata towards south, he joined forces with Nelwamondo. When Govhamasenga arrived at Tshinavheni and Vhusenzi, he decided to stop his journey there. Nelwamondo decided to proceed until he arrived much to the east, at the place now called Bushbuckridge, and Lydenburg, where he then lived.
After some time, Nelwamondo and his army then decided to go back, under the leadership of their own Tshilinde, where they settled in the area today called Lwamondo. The royal palace was then built at Makambe, which is on the east of the Lwamondo Mountain. Tshilinde later relocated to Tshamukololo, where he later passed on. His son, Mapungwi then became heir to the throne, and lived there until his passing on. As Vha-Venda say “ Vhuhosi vhu naka muvhango”, even this was contested between Radali and Randuhu (who were both sons of Mapungwi). Nemutandani supported Randuhu as a result, he was assaulted with the bows and arrows, and ran for his survival, together with Randuhu, and found themselves living at Mauluma. This led to Radali rising to the throne.
After the passing of Radali, his son Mathule became the heir. Mathule then relocated to Tshiwedza. When Mathule passed on, Maboho took the throne, and Matshusa became the “ndumi”; Nyakhuhu became “Khadzi”. After a short while, Maboho relocated to Madefule (closer to Tshivhale), where the royal palace relocated to. In the year 1848, white settlers then moved into Thuvhalalwe (Schoemansdall). João Albasini was already in Luonde by 1855, and this made it easy for them to conquer Maboho. On 22 September 1863, with the assistance of Vhatonga, the white settlers led by Albasini, invaded Maboho Nelwamondo, taking livestock (cattle, sheep and goats). They then forced the Nelwamondos to pay taxes to them. Seeing this, the royal palace then relocated from Madefule to Musanda Mafela, at the throne of the mountain, where the royal palace still is, today. The enemies could be seen from afar.
Maboho used this new set-up to his advantage. When enemies were coming, he would see them from far, and plan for them. His army would roll the rocks down the mountain. Albasini’s amy was treated no differently, and was defeated during the day, and ran away. They resorted to coming back at night, when visibility is poor. Even then, their movement at night would awake the baboon, and the Nelwamondo’s would then wake up, and the battle begins (Ya vha yo shoma), and Albasini lost yet again. Albasini invited the “Vhangona vha Mzila”, who liked to take over Lwamondo. They were also defeated. Ligegise Tshivhase, who also envied and admired the Lwamondo Mountain, hired the Swazis, well known as mabunyu (or the naked). They tried, but lost the battle, where they were killed by the rolling stones.
Mzila also sent another army in April 1869, led by Magidjana, Muyakayaka and Stephanus Schoeman (as they were referred to). After losing, another army was sent, led by Mpisane in June 1869, which was also defeated. The victorious Lwamondo people also assisted Mugivhi when he was fighting with Mukhesi. This was because Mugivhi was a son-in-law to the Nelwamondo’s as he married Princess Vele, the daughter of Maboho.
In the year 1883, Maboho passed on, and was succeeded to the throne by Phophi, the grandson of Tshakhuma. At this time, Raidimi asked vha-Dzanani to assist him so to assume the throne. Tshibalo tsha Tshilwavhusiku tsha ha Ramabulana, tsha bva. Phophi then sent Prince Matodzi, with royal gifts of beads (vhulungu ha madi na denga). The livestock followed with Madzunya for reconciliation. Certainly, the spear only killed who was fighting. It was all peace afterwards, until Mukhesi was wanted Nelwamondo to bow to him. When this got to Makhado’s ears, Makhado insisted that he would not want Nelwamondo to come to him via anyone. Nelwamondo should have a direct connection to his chieftaincy, so should Mukhesi. Then it was all peace.
In 1895, Makhado passed on. In 1896 there was famine (Ndala ya Matshona) due to locusts that ate the crops. In the year 1898, the Mphephu’s fought with the Boers. Phopi fought, and refused Lwamondo to be invaded. He said, it is to be invaded, it should only be of the battle is fought and lost. Then another battle began. When the war was over, Phophi, Ravele, Matidze and Ratombo were arrested with other 16 chiefs, and were yoked together and were forced to pull the boer’s cart (Tshirululu) from Venda to Bulugwane (Polokwane). They were then sent to a jail in Pretoria. Phophi ruled for a long time, and it was him who began a number of schools in Lwamondo. After he passed on, Mugaguli assumed the throne, taking the job of his father forward. He became a member of the Regional and Territorial Authorities. He passed on 6 July 1970. On 11 December 1971, Mugaguli’s son, Aifheli assumed the throne. He was given instructions to rule Lwamondo, and he was then given the throne name: Ndaedzo. Ntshavheni Alfred Nelwamondo became ndumi. Chief Ndaedzo then became a member of the Regional Authorities. Chief Ndaedzo Nelwamondo became the speaker of parliament. When Venda was given independence, he became a minister in several portfolios. Development continued in Lwamondo, schools were built, a clinic and electricity, and running water.
Ndi vha Nyambado I no rema thavha ya Lwamondo, ngeno ya vhanwe I tshirema basha. Hu aniwa nga matshele na nyambado. Nwana a losha vhari, dzulani zwanu Kwinda Rambado, Mulaudzi wa ha Nyambado. Vho mme vha tshi vhidza vhana vhari idani ngeno Mphwambado!
Throne succession
- Tshilande
- Mapungwi
- Radali
- Mathule
- Maboho (died 1883)
- Phophi Sidemere
- Lupenyo Mugaguli (died 1970)
- Ndaedzo (Rulling since 1971 -- )
Villages in Lwamondo
Each of this villages runs its own affaies, under the Headman, who reports directly to Thovhele A. C. Nelwamondo (Ndaedzo). The villages are as follows:
- Badama
- Belemu
- Tshivhale
- Lukau
- Tshitavha
- Tshiseni
- Mutandani
- Matatani
- Vhungwili
- Tshifulanani
- Dzwerani
- Zwavhavhili
- Mugomeli
- Khumbe
- Pambani
- Tshikosi
- Mathule
- vhunama
- Mahematshena
- Makambe
- Tshiozwi
- Tshiema
- Thuhwi
- Matavhela
- Tshishushuru
- Tshalovha
Schools in Lwamondo
There are a number of schools in Lwamondo. Notably, the following:
- Belemu primary
- Tshivhale primary
- Tshiwedza primary
- Makakavhale secondary
- Matshele primary
- Maphuphe primary
- Shondoni secondary
- Luvhaivhai secondary
- Masembelwe primary
- Andries Mugaguli secondary
- Mathule primary
- Tshifulanani primary
- Mutshipisi primary
- Lwamondo secondary
- Tshifhumulo primary
- Ndaedzo secondary
- Mangomani primary
- Dzondo primary
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Lwamondo". Census 2011.
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