Top business tycoon-cum-traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho Lufhalafhala Matshidza, was buried at a secluded spot, known as Tshiendeulu-Tsha-Ha-Matshidza in the Nzhelele area, on Sunday. Thousands of mourners that included Vhamusanda Vho Lambani Thifheli Tshivhase, General Secretary of the Tshivhase Royal Family and Chairperson of the Inner Circle of the Tshivhase Royal Family representing Thovhele Vho Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, senior traditional leaders, traditional leaders, top businessmen, church leaders, politicians and residents from Zimbabwe flocked to Mandavhila, Dopeni, to pay their last tribute to Matshidza. Vhamusanda Vho Lufhalafhala Matshidza, known as “Tshitaka” ( meaning a shield or fort to protect friends and acquaintances from attackers) and “Tshibode” ( meaning a strategist who always comes up with an appropriate plan) passed away on May 5 at Siloam Hospital after a long illness. Speaking to the mourners, Mr Elikana Matshidza, chief mourner and Matshidza’s brother, stated that it was God’s miracles that his brother survived a stroke that almost took his life in 1997. He described the incident as being given a second chance in life in the same way God did with King Hiskia, who is mentioned in the Holy Bible. The Matshidza family is known, in the entire Venda area, as businesspeople and dedicated farmers. Vhamusanda Vho Lufhalafhala’s father, the late Evangelist Jacobus Matshidza, was the first Venda person who operated both goods and passenger transport services in the late 30s after moving his business home from Natal. The transport business was later operated against first competitors the likes of Mabirimisa Bus Services and Mafune Transport Services, which was by then known as the “Mbombela-Ya-Mafune-Lutandala.” Vhamusanda Vho Lufhalafhala, who also started as a commercial farmer, established his first retail businesses at Tshikombani village and then moved to Musina. His chain of businesses included a garage, a motel, an accommodation establishment, a bakery, a restaurant and franchised Chicken Licken outlets. Vhamusanda Vho Azwikonei Jeremiah Budeli of Mandala described Matshidza as a true friend. Their friendship, he said, continued to grow despite Matshidza’s poor health for the past 13 years. Although the Matshidza family has elements of blue blood, they are not in line for the chieftainship. Through loyalty to both the Ralinala and the Tshivhase Royal Families, particularly his relationship with the latter that started with former acting king deceased Acting Thovhele Vho John Shavhani Tshivhase and deceased Minister Vho Alidzuli Tshivhase in the cabinet of Thovhele President Patrick Mphephu-Ramabulana, Matshidza was nominated and anointed as Vhamusanda of Mandavhila, Dopeni village. The name Lufhalafhala is the official name given to him during his inauguration as Vhamusanda of Mandavhila. While conducting burial rites, Vhamusanda Vho Muonyolosi Takalani Budeli ensured that the funeral procession and burial ceremony was royalty-oriented - a practice that deviates completely from Christian or Zionist burial culture that has been in practice for years at the Matshidza Family Burial Grounds. Before venturing into business and his appointment in traditional leadership position, Matshidza started his career as a public servant after passing the Joint Matriculation Board Exams. He worked at Louis Trichardt East Circuit Board, Thathe Vondo Plantation and Magistrate Offices of Dzanani and Vuwani where he excelled in public prosecution. He also worked at the Department Of Home Affairs. Before retiring to become a fully fledged businessman, Matshidza occupied the position of a Senior Manager (Director) of the UIF. Vhamusanda Vho Lufhalafhala Matshidza is survived by his mutanuni, Linah, children, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren. While giving his condolences, the representative of Contralesa, Vhamusanda Vho Dr. Zwotoutea Gogome Tshifularo of Tshifhena, told the mourners that the residents of Mandavhila and the entire nation would miss the wisdom of the wise ruler under the Tshivhase Kingdom.