LIMPOPO – The coronation will be held at the Thohoyandou Stadium on 9 September, during Heritage Month.
Mphephu’s adviser, Jackson Mafunzwaini said the event will mark the restoration of the Vhavenda Kingship following extensive work done by the Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims (known as the Nhlapo Commission) which was tasked by government to look into the matters of kingship and queenship in the country.
He said the stadium is expected to be filled to capacity and the king will be flanked by 28 recognised senior traditional leaders and 564 headmen and women.
The Deputy President for Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela said the president will recognise Mphephu as king and hand over the recognition certificate at the event.
Three kingships have thus far been recognised in the province: Mphephu for the Venda tribe, the Pedi and the Queen of Balobedu.
Three kings in the Eastern Cape, one in Mpumalanga and another in KwaZulu-Natal have already been recognised.
“This important event in the history of the Vhavenda – and the country – is taking place in the year in which our Constitution marks 20 years since the late President Nelson Mandela signed it into law. This key and strategic law and framework of our democracy continues to guide us even as we talk about the coronation of the king and also assist us in building the cohesive society we envisaged, which embraces and promotes constitutional rights and human dignity,” he said.
Tsongas don’t have a king because their kingship collapsed in Mozambique after King Ngungunyane was attacked and killed by the Portuguese. He was buried in Portugal,” he added.
The ceremony will also include the taking of a special oath of office administered by the member of the judiciary.
Section 211 of the Constitution, recognises the institution, status and role of traditional leadership, according to customary law subject to the Constitution. “This indeed proves that our laws provide for coexistence between a democratic government and traditional leadership and also clarifies the roles of each within the spirit of ‘unity in diversity’, said Bapela.
