Heritage Day was celebrated in style at Vondo La Thavha village outside Thohoyandou, when Mugivhela Tshivhase, a pastor and district director of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, was installed as a senior traditional leader of the village.

His installation, which is a rare occasion for the church, was warmly received by church members, who came in their numbers to witness the occasion. The colourful inauguration ceremony was witnessed by thousands of residents of Vondo-La-Thavha, members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, politicians, government officials, researchers on Venda culture from the University of Pretoria, traditional leaders, fellow pastors and thousands of well-wishers.

The installation ceremony was officiated by Thovhele Midi-ya-Vhathu Tshivhase. He formally installed Pastor Mugivhela Tshivhase as the new chief, his deputy (khotsimunene) and Khadzi. His chieftainship´s name will henceforth be Khosi Vho Midi –ndi Vhathu, which Vho Thovhele Tshivhase said differed from his own name, Midi-ya Vhathu, and warned that there should be no confusion about their names.

Tshivhase indicated that residents of Vondo-La-Thavha were lucky as their new leader was a pastor, who would no doubt rule his followers with wisdom from the living God. The crowd was entertained by malende, zwikhodo and the tshikona dance.