Green Farm, Limpopo
| Green Farm | |
|---|---|
  Green Farm
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| Coordinates: 22°57′29″S 30°45′32″E / 22.958°S 30.759°ECoordinates: 22°57′29″S 30°45′32″E / 22.958°S 30.759°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Limpopo |
| District | Vhembe |
| Municipality | Thulamela |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 5.94 km2 (2.29 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 3,930 |
| • Density | 660/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011)[1] | |
| • Black African | 99.9% |
| • Coloured | 0.1% |
| First languages (2011)[1] | |
| • Tsonga | 97.3% |
| • Venda | 1.6% |
| • Other | 1.2% |
Green Farm is a village in the province of Limpopo in South Africa. The village is situated in the north east region of Limpopo province within the Thulamela municipality, Vhembe district.
Green Farm was named Mahori after the initial chieftaincy, and it currently under the chieftaincy of the "Nhongani family".
The village is situated right in the middle of Malamulele, between Madonsi village, Gijamhandeni, Phugwani, Nkovani, Makhasa, Bobo and Xibangwa villages.
Sections of the village
The village is a vibrant place where the population speaks mainly Xitsonga as a mother tongue. The area in itself is spacious with a mountain range which runs right in the middle dividing the main village into two areas, namely Endhzaku ka ntshava (behind the mountain with reference to the face being at the main road) and a henhla (meaning on top, due to the placement on the high lying area). There are new sections being established due to growth and the need for children to get their own spaces; Hunguta poto (Reduce the size of a cooking pot) and Tshumbula doki (Where donkeys sprawls - used to be open grounds)
Seasons and climate
The area experiences a prolonged heat season, running from August to April. There is a wind season from July to August and the wind can be dusty because there is no moisture then and the grass is commonly dry leaving open grounds. The rain is most likely from October to January and this is the time where the residents plough their yards for maize, water melons, pumpkins, beans etc. In the period, there is also an abundance of fruits in the yards (Mangoes, Papawa/papaya) and you can enjoy tintoma, tinyiri or tinyiya, tintsengele, mapfilwa and later Mahodinga/ makajawa na makwakwa. The winter can be said to be warm and drizzling is possible
What is Green or Gireni
The village is in itself not green or fertile. Green Farm was named by the white immigrants as they travelled around South Africa promoting their missions and education. The name has since been endorsed and used by all people young and old and it is affectionately called "Gireni or Green".There is a lot of Marula trees(Nkanyi), Jackal-berry trees(Ntoma), Mopani trees(Nxanatsi) etc. Jackal-berry trees have edible fruits and the wood is used to make pestles for grinding maize. The marula trees provide fruits(makanyi) which are tasty and rich with Vitamin C. The fruit is used to make beer(vukanyi) where people gather and enjoy it for free. The staple food is vuswa (pap, meal cooked with maize) and vuswa is served with any relish which can be found in the yards (guxe, theka, muxiji, tinhwembe, tinyawa) and meat type of food found in the forest e.g. bush meat, matomani(mopani worms),swidongodi or bought from the supermarkets
Economics and demographics
Most people at Green Farm are unemployed. Most women are housewives, Children at school going ages attend to the schools which are situated in the village; There is a creche for toddlers and young children, A primary school named Tsundzukani and a high school named P.P Hlungwani. Most men are self employed to support their families; from roofing (ku fulela tindlu), Construction, Welding, fencing, fishing and farming (Crop and Animal). A few percentage of residents work for the government departments and schools. Young people get registered annually at the various tertiary institutions across the country. Most graduates never returns home as residents because there are no opportunities for available in the area.
Recreation and facilities
Shopping is done at a general dealer and several family run spaza shops around the village otherwise people can decide to go to the nearest township of Malamulele where they can at least find major national retailers like Shoprite and Pick n pay. There is a post office which is used just to deposit mail and collect mail. The main sporting codes are soccer for males and netball for females. Soccer is played at a community level and the school level while netball is played mainly in a school level.
Music and arts
Music is a major part of vatsonga people. They enjoy playing Xitsonga music at home and at ceremonies like tikhomba (female initiation ceremony) na xiseveseve (celebration of friendship mostly for women). Legend artist the late Mhani Khatisa Chabalala was resident at Greenfarm. She was an inspiration to most young Vatsonga artists.There are artists on their own right like Magrita, of Swa misava remix fame; and currently Makhahlele Forget of Xitimela xa na mixo fame. People do carving (matshuri, minkombe na swinwana), moulding (timbita and majomela) and they make the traditional clothing like tinjhovo and xibelani. List of artist: DJ Magrita, Forget Makhahlele, Tingwangwayani, Machachule, Nkondos etc
Religion, social organisation and politics
The area offers the residents a choice when it comes to religious affiliation, there are different church denominations like Zion Christian Church, Apostolic Faith Mission, Assemblies of God, Roman Catholic Church and other churches. The residents also have traditional ceremonies of African religion (muphahlo na mancomani). Politically, Green Farm Village also enjoys involvement in the political landscape of the Republic of South Africa. The people in the village are well represented in the political structures. Politics have to work in synergy with the lateral by-laws and traditional regulations. The area is under the tribal leadership of Madonsi Hlungwani royal family. Looking at history, the majority of people have traditionally associated themselves with African National Congress in the previous elections. There is a strong social movement towards development; with several active and recognized organisations focusing on health and social development and education.
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Green Farm". Census 2011.
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