THOHOYANDOU – If the provincial office of the Congress of Traditional Leaders Association of South Africa (Contralesa) accepts the decision made by the Vhembe branch, Thovhele Kennedy Midiyavhathu Tshivhase will lead Contralesa in the Vhembe region.

During a meeting held at the old parliament on Sunday, October 12, all six branches of Contralesa, except one, the Sinthumule-Kutama branch, which was absent, nominated Tshivhase as their new leader. The branches are Tshivhase, Mutale, Nzhelele, Tshitake and Mphaphuli.

The election for the new committee was first postponed from last Sunday, October 5, because the Sinthumule Kutama branch did not attend. The last Sunday's elections, which were scheduled for 10:00, eventually started at 13:00.

It later emerged that all six branches agreed that Tshivhase must be their chairman, with Rasivhetshele Sumbana, who was the leading the region in the past two years, was nominated as deputy chairperson.

Sumbana, from the Mphaphuli branch, also a national vice-chairperson of Contralesa, only agreed to be part of the new committee after he was persuaded by the six branches, who felt that his expertise is still needed. Initially, he was supposed to be the facilitator of the whole election process, but later on Chief Davhana stepped in to facilitate.

In other positions, Tshizuwisa Tshivhase, also from the Tshivhase branch, was nominated as organiser, while Vusitshena Nethengwe from Mutale was nominated in the position of treasurer.

TP Mutheiwane from Tshitale, NN Tshivhase from Tshivhase, Marie Ravele from Tshivhase, Takalani Manenzhe, TJ Davhana TJ of Tshikonelo and a representative to be forwarded by Kutama Sinthumule, were nominated as additional members. The full committee that was nominated and elected is: Tshivhase (chairperson), Sumbana (vice), Ratshitanga (secretary) Takalani Budeli (vice) Tshizuwisa Tshivhase (organizer), Vusitshena Nethengwe (treasurer), Additional members: PP Mutheiwana PP, NM Tshivhase, Marie Ravele all females, and Ms TE Manenzhe, Chief Netshimbupfe, Prince Ramovha, TJ Davhana and Sinthumule Kutma representative.