NZHELELE - The Mphephu Family have lodged a claim in attempt to reclaim a portion of their land "Songozwi", from white farmers outside Louis Trichardt.

According to Thovhele Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, King Makhado Tshilwavhusiku had found Songozwi "before the farmers could invade it". The Mphephu Dynasty was removed forcibly during the reign of Makhado's successor "Mbulaheni", Mphephu said.

He added that the dynasty crossed the Limpopo River seeking for a place of refuge. This they found at Mochomo where they settled.

Later they returned but settled at Dzudzanani, presently known as Dzanani, where Patrick Mphephu was installed as Paramount Chief.

The claim has been lodged with the Land Claims Commission in 1996 and up to this stage the commission is still in the process of gazetting it, said Mphephu.

He also told Mirror that the commission's delay is confusing, as it had already been lodged during the reign of his brother, Dimbanyika Mphephu.

Mphephu's vision is to rebuild Songozwi as the Kingdom of the Vha-Venda. "Retaining Songozwi would please my forefathers," he said.

According to him, Songozwi is a fertile area that experiences heavy rainfall during summer.