Louis Trichardt and King Ramabulana gave each other a pact of friendship, says historian

If Ramabulana could speak from his grave, would he perhaps ask: "Why the fight between the names Louis Trichardt and Makhado?"

"If people were properly informed about history, there would be consensus. An informed decision of all parties shall be a unanimous decision," advises history and law man, Mr Pieter F Botha.

Makhado’s father, Khosikulu Rasithuu Ramabulana, had a bosom friend and his name was Louis Trichardt.

"Ramabulana would probably have been more than pleased to find the greater municipal area aptly named after his son, Makhado, and the town named after his bosom friend, Louis Trichardt," Botha says.

Few people understand the historical and prophetic significance of the friendship between Ramabulana, Louis Trichardt and the Buys people, the descendants of Coenraad de Buys. Few people understand at what crucial point in history of the Vhavenda Louis Trichardt arrived.

"The Venda people of the Soutpansberg came from a Mother-Monarchy known as the VhaSenzi in the Congo before 1700. The high priest issued a new law to be maintained forever that royal blood would never be spilt on the ground. Thus the peaceful succession procedure is to this day adhered to by all in Venda and any attempts or actual breaking thereof is an inexcusable shame in the eyes of God and would incur His punishment" says Botha, whose passion is Venda history.

Ramabulana’s brother Ramavhoya broke this divine law by usurping Ramabulana’s throne. The Buys people stood with the legal king.

"It was at this very sad and worrying moment when all hope failed" that Louis Trichardt arrived. The Buys people, who were fluent in Afrikaans and Venda, "were a God-given catalyst for King Ramabulana and Louis Trichardt to communicate their innermost feelings with one another and for a similar God-given friendship and camaraderie to follow." Together, they succeeded in removing the usurper from his place and to replace the rightful king as monarch of the Venda.

The three parties "did not have many material possessions to give each other but they gave each other friendship, truthful co-operation, loyalty and support to promote what was right and remove what was wrong." Botha calls the three parties the three lobes of a behavioural science seed that was planted then. "…seeds of this kind are not planted every day. The new South Africa and the new Africa stem from it and their future absolutely depends on it," writes Botha in his article South Africa, the Locomotive for Africa, written as part of the centenary celebrations of Louis Trichardt in 1999.

This incident is also given prominence by historian Prof Louis Changuion: "For the first time in the history of the Vhavenda a dispute about chieftainship was settled through the white man’s intervention." Historian Dr M H Nemudzivhadi dates this incident as December 19, 1836.

Dr Nemudzivhadi produced a well-researched document which was read by Mr M P Marageni at the consolidation meeting of the name change committee on October 27. He hailed Makhado as a diplomat, a statesman and unafraid to fight for his people and the preservation of the kingdom.

"When the new town was named after Tregardt, there was nothing wrong as these namers were celebrating victory over the defeated Mphephu in 1898," writes Nemudzivhadi in his article compiled on September 18 this year, From Tshirululuni, (Ha-Makhado) Louis Tichardt to Makhado. Nemudzivhadi argues that the name of the town should be Makhado.

News - Date: 16 November 2007

Linda van der Westhuizen

Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.

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