Bungeni

Bungeni

A new Village near Bungeni Big tree, Bungeni Village
Bungeni

 Bungeni shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 23°12′22″S 30°13′26″E / 23.206°S 30.224°ECoordinates: 23°12′22″S 30°13′26″E / 23.206°S 30.224°E
Country South Africa
Province Limpopo
District Vhembe
Municipality Makhado
Area[1]
 • Total 10.94 km2 (4.22 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 10,297
 • Density 940/km2 (2,400/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 99.6%
 • Coloured 0.2%
 • Indian/Asian 0.1%
 • White 0.1%
 • Other 0.1%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Tsonga 90.3%
 • Venda 7.3%
 • Other 2.5%
PO box 4813

Bungeni is a sprawling rural settlement situated at the foothills of the Soutpansberg mountain range in the former Gazankulu homeland, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Bungeni is in the Hlanganani district, on the R578 road (South Africa) between Louis Trichardt and Giyani. In 1994, administrative control of this western portion of Gazankulu was allocated to Makhado local municipality, in the Vhembe district. It consists of more than 11 large villages, namely Xikhulu, Mabodhlongwa, Xitaci, Mtsetweni, Xihambanyisi, Nwa-Mhandzi, Xivambu, Nhjakanhjaka A, Nhjakanhjaka B, Wayeni, and Mahatlani. According to the 2011 census, Bungeni has a population of approximately 25,000 people.

Geography and Geology

Geologically, Bungeni village is located on the 'tail end' of the Soutpansberg mountain range. When the Soutpansberg mountain range was formed over a billion years ago as a result of the Kaapvaal Craton, it resulted in the formation of broken hills all over the village of Bungeni, which is a Geological feature of Bungeni today. These broken hills at Bungeni village were known as 'Spelenkon Hills' by the Afrikaner during the early years of Afrikaner Colonisation of the region. The village itself is just less than 6 km from Levubu Agricultural plantations and 8 km from the Soutpansberg Mountain range. The soil type is the same as those on the Soutpansberg mountain range. Rainfall at Bungeni corresponds to the climate of the Soutpansberg mountain range, with maximum temperatures during summer reaching as high as 34 °C.

History

Bungeni village, as it is known today, is of relatively recent origin. Hosi Bungeni and his subjects arrived here between 1819 and 1820 as refugees from Mozambique during the wars of Soshangane, also known as Manukosi and was given this land by Hosi Njhakanjhaka of Elim and became Hosi Njhakanjhaka's subject. As a Paramount chief of Tsonga refugees in the Spelenkon (Xipilongo in Xitsonga), Hosi Njhakanjhaka exercised Authority over all Tsonga refugees who were fleeing the brutal formation of the Gaza Kingdom by Soshangane in Southern Mozambique, the natural home of the Tsonga people. As Paramount Chief, Hosi Njhakanjhaka was responsible for the allocation of land to the Tsonga refugees, the provision of military protection, provision of food, as well as exercising authority over all these refugees. Upon arrival in Spelenkon as refugees, Chief Bungeni and his people gathered around the palace of Hosi Njhakanjhaka at Elim, thereafter, Hosi Njhakanjhaka allocated land to chief Bungeni and his people and the village of Bungeni became established. Initially, Hosi Bungeni became Induna of Hosi njhakanjhaka, but with the introduction of apartheid during the 1960s, Hosi Bungeni became a Senior Tsonga Chief and ceased being a headmam, the authority of Hosi Njhakanhjaka was destroyed over Bungeni Village.

Chief Bungeni and his people, while in Mozambique, led a rebellious campaign against Nguni invaders, who not only oppressed the Tsonga people but also enslave Tsonga woman and children. Chief Bungeni tried to defend his people but was easily defeated by Soshangane and his soldiers. To avoid death and execution by Soshangane, Chief Bungeni and his followers fled and sought refuge at a place known today as Bungeni, under the protection and authority of chief Njhakanjhaka and was a subject of Hosi Njhakanhjaka. Chief Bungeni was made a senior headman by chief Njhakanjhaka. Another waves of Tsonga migration into Bungeni happen again between 1859-1863 during the civil war between Mzila and Mawewe, the two brother were fighting for a Kingship after the death of their father Soshangane. The last wave of Tsonga migration into Bungeni happened between 1890-1895 during the Portuguese and Nghunghunyane wars.

Hosi Nhjakanhjaka Mukhari, the headman of Spelenkon (which included Valdezia and Elim), along with Joao Albasini, was a chief of all Vatsonga people in a place known today as Hlanganani. A place where Bungeni is situated today was known as Spelenkon (Xipilongo in Xitsonga) and was one of the most important sites of the Great Spelenkon empire, under the mighty arm of Joao Albasini. Hosi Bungeni was an assistant to Joao Albasini and Hosi Nhjakanhjaka, later, Hosi Bungeni was made a Senior traditional leader by the Apartheid government during the 1960s, a position he did not deserve to hold since he fell under the authority of Hosi Nhjakanhjaka. By contrast, the real paramount chief of the Vatsonga of Spelenkon, Hosi Nhjakanhjaka Mukhari, was made an 'Independent Headman' and was given a Tribal Office at Waterval township, below Elim Hospital. Bungeni village, along with Nwa-Xinyamani, Chavani, Mbhokota, Bokisi, Lemana, Njhakanhjaka (Elim), Shirley and Valdezia were collectively known as Spelenkon and became home to thousands of Tsonga refugees fleeing the murderous and oppressive Gaza Kingdom under Soshangane, a Zulu General who has conquered the homeland of Vatsonga people in and around Southern Mozambique.

Soshangane oppressed and terrorised the Tsonga people to such an extent that a wave of immigration into the Transvaal took place, thousands of Vatsonga fled their homes (ku Baleka) and settled at Spelenkon. By length, Bungeni share a border with Nwa-Xinyamani and Ha-Mashamba (Venda settlement) until Ka-Nkuzana, which is 10 km (6.2 mi) long, its brendth, it share a border with Ha-Mashau (a Venda settlement) until Bellevue (Ka-Wayeni), which is also 10 km (6.2 mi) long, making Bungeni one of the biggest Traditional Authority in the Makhado local municipality. In 2019, Bungeni village will be 200 years old.

Education

Bungeni has 5 secondary schools, which are Russel Bungeni High School, Hluvuka High School, Marholeni Secondary school, Bellevue secondary school and Mahatlani Secondary School. There are 12 Primary schools at Bungeni. There are: Nhjakanhjaka Primary, Muhluri Primary, Mkhono Higher Primary, Bungeni Primary, Xitaci Primary, Mtsetweni Primary, Xihambanyisi primary, Ndlavheya Primary, Nwa-Mhandzi primary, Wayeni primary, Mahatlani primary and Masungi primary.

Health

Health care is extremely poor, there are 2 community clinics, which are Bungeni health centre and wayeni health centre, both are attached to Elim Hospital. HIV and Aids has been a leading cause of death amongst young people but with the availability of ARV's, death toll has slowed down. There is a private medical centre at the Diza complex. A number of traditional healers (witchdoctors) still ply their craft in the villages. There are no specific numbers to add on the claim that HIV and Aids has been the major cause of death among young people. Bungeni remains one of the communities with a domination of elderly people, it might be because of the traditional food such as Tihove, Xiendlahivomu, Ximbhundhwa, Xigugu, Xirhidza, etc. and the lifestyle in general.

Development

Bungeni is one of the most developed villages in the Makhado local municipality. Amongst the most developed section of Bungeni is Nhjakanhjaka A village a small suburban called Mandela and Tana na Pulani has houses and mansion that compete with Makhado Town and other developed areas in the South Africa. The Bungeni 'post office' is situated at Bungeni Xikhulu area. Nhjakanhjaka A has a fully fledge filling station, Pharmacy, Fresh Loaf Bakery Shoprite U Save complex, Pep Store and Fish & Chips which opened on 27 October 2014 and a community Radio, known as Hlanganani Community radio.The village has three famous soccer team: Bungeni Young Tigers, Arrow Chiefs & Bungeni New Born.

Economic Development

Bungeni, along with other villages situated in the area, is currently experiencing strong economic growth in the property market. A number of major retail hardware stores operate in the area, selling construction materials. This has led to the once rural villages of the area becoming semi-urban areas.

Famous People

Well-known people from Bungeni include David Mathebula, a footballer in the South African Professional Soccer League. Jacob Tshisevhe, a former Kaizer Chief defender, was born at Njhakanjhaka Village (The Tshisevhe family still resides in the village). Another notable individual is Falaza Mdaka, who is the Chief Whip of the African National Congress in the Limpopo Legislature. Robert Nkuna who is the former Advisor to the Minister of Transport and now a Deputy-Director General (DDG) in the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans. Tiyani Rikhotso is a spokesperson in the Department of Transport. Chicco Twala (His Parents were born at Mabodlongwa village, the Twala family still reside in the village), Judge George Maluleke, North Gauteng High Court (He himself was born at Mtsetweni village in 1945).

Bungeni Royal lineage and Succession


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Bungeni". Census 2011.