A cloud of sadness hangs over the Tshakhuma area after the announcement of the death of the former Minister of Agriculture in the former Venda homeland, Chief Vho-Andries Madzivhandila, who passed away last Wednesday after a short illness.

He died at the age of 76. He will be buried at the sacred royal place tonight (Friday).

Madzivhandila had been a traditional leader for the Tshakhuma area, heading 13 villages for the past 50 years. He was innaugurated as a chief of the area in 1960 at a ceremony which was held at Mangwele. His parents were the late Khosi Vho-Tshimbiluni Tshakhuma and Vho-Nyadzanga Mphaphuli.

He received his primary education at Tshakhuma Memorial from 1943 to 1947 and Mphaphuli Senior Primary School.

In 1952, he moved to Vendaland Training Institute, where he completed his junior certificate, before he completed his National Diploma in Agriculture at Ford Cox. He also received a national diploma in Forestry.

According to observers, it is through his hard work that the Tshakhuma area developed. At present, 11primary and three secondary schools are situated in the area.

As agriculture expanded in the Tshakhuma area, one of the biggest big fruit markets was born. Now Tshakhuma is regarded as the fruit basket of Vhembe and Makhado and the Limpopo province.

Madzivhandila became a councillor in 1969 in the Republic of Venda´s government and was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs in 1979. Madzvhandila College of Agriculture was established under his leadership. Before Brig Gabriel Ramushwana took over the Venda Government from Mr Frank Ravele, Chief Madzivhandila was Ravele´s second in command.

Chief Madzivhandila was a member of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa).

While messages of condolences are streaming in, the spokesperson for the family, Musanda Vho-Tshifovhedze, said the funeral ceremony will be held at the Tshakhuma Multipurpose Centre. He is calling upon all the residents of Tshakhuma to be at the Centre at 10:00.

It was reported that the headman for Mandiwana Village in the Dzanani area, Musanda Vho-Mashudu Mandiwana, had also passed away and he will be laid to rest tonight at Dzanani.