The legendary Vhavenda leader, Khosikhulu Vho Patrick Ramaano Mphephu, was eulogized as a champion of the Vhavenda people for his selfless contribution toward the former Venda republic.

This was during the memorial lecture organised in his honour by the Azwi Development Agency at the Khoroni Hotel on Saturday.

Mr Jackson Mafunzwaini, director of Azwi and organiser of the lecture, said the ceremony was convened to pay tribute to a gallant leader, who deserved high tribute for what he had done and because of his efforts, people are able to live and develop further.

He said the late Khosikhulu Vho Mphephu rendered an exceptional service at great cost to himself to the people of Venda, and went beyond the call of duty in serving his people. “The late Khosikhulu stands as a beacon that should guide us forever,” he added.

Speaker after speaker spoke of the good Mphephu had done in his lifetime .

“I am what I am today because of the old man. He took me as a nobody and made me a somebody,” said Vhafuwi Vho Andries Mavhungu Madzivhandila, who served in the cabinet in the former Venda Republic. Madzivhandila said all the development that one could point at in the Venda area today was as a result of Mphephu’s tireless efforts to develop his people. He said through the late king, roads, bridges, schools and many developments took shape and people could still look back and say this happened during the rule of Mphephu.

Vho Thovhele Calvin Nelwamondo, who also served in the late Khosikhulu Mphephu’s cabinet, said the late Life State President of Venda led a life worth emulating by all leaders. “Through him, we have witnessed a lot of development in this area. He also taught us to live together as brothers and sisters, irrespective of what political party one belonged to. We feel that this is the way even the present generation should follow and tolerate each other, irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.

Nelwamondo said Mphephu surprised all when the leader of the opposition party, Mr Baldwin Mudau, applied to have a business in Thohoyandou and, contrary to people´s expectations, was granted the licence. He said Mphephu will always be remembered as someone who hated gossip and lies.

King Makhosonke Enoch 11 Mabena called on traditional leaders throughout Africa to unite to ensure development and defend culture and tradition in their areas. He said it was sad that Mphephu, after having done so much for the people of South Africa, was only remembered 21 years after his death. “What Mphephu did in this region, we can point fingers at and show. This is reason enough that we should honour and celebrate his life,” he said.

A written message from Bayethe Mpisane Eric Nxumalo of the Gaza Kingdom, who could not attend because of bereavement in the family, was read by his representative, Mr Stanley Mkatshwa. In the message, he assured the Mphephu royal family that they would be celebrating the kingship of the two royal houses together, and that they would remain kings as they were enthroned by God. He said the Vhavenda and Vhatsonga were related through marriage and it came as no surprise for them to be invited to the event.

In response, King Toni Peter Ramabulana, the present incumbent of the Mphephu royal family, said he did not have much time with his father. He said his father had everything at his disposal and could have accumulated all the wealth for himself and his family but chose to distribute it to the people through developmental projects. “This goes to show that he was not selfish and fought for development in the whole of the Venda region,” he added.

During the function, it was also announced that a museum is to be built at the old ministerial residence to honour the late Khosikhulu Mphephu

Mafunzwaini also pointed out that the late president of the ANC, Oliver Tambo has done so much for the country, but his name is seldom mentioned when great leaders of this country are mentioned. He said negotiations are at an advanced stage with the Tambo family for his organization to host a function that would honour him.

Khosikhulu Vho PR Mphephu belongs to a proud and outstanding ancestry, most powerfully represented by that famous warrior king and commander Tshilwavhusiku Tsha ha Ramabulana. He was born at Dzanani in 1925. He was the son of Thovhele Vho George Mbulaheni Ramabulana-Mphephu. He attended school at Gadabi Primary School, where he passed Std 6. He proceeded to the Vendaland Institute, where he passed Form II and left school for the Johannesburg Country Club for employment. He worked there until he came back home.

His father, Vho Thovhele Mbulaheni Ramabulana, passed away in 1948. In 1950, Khosikhulu Vho PR Mphephu was installed as Khosi of the Mphephu tribe and was elected chairman of Mphephu Tribal Authority in 1951. In 1959, he was elected chairman of the Ramabulana Regional Authority and in 1961 he was elected member of the advisory council for the University of the North. In 1966, he was elected chairman of the Thohoyandou Territorial Authority. His deputy was Chief Manthata from the Groot Spelonken.

In 1969, he was elected chief councilor of the Venda Government, and in 1973 he was elected Chief Minister with the portfolio of Finance and Authority Affairs. On August 22, 1979 he was installed Khosikhulu of the Venda nation and in 1979 he was elected the first State President of the then independent Venda. In 1983, he was declared Life President by the Venda National Assembly.

He is the 13th Khosikhulu in the house of Masingo great house starting from Belelamambo.