Deputy President Paul Mashatile visits Limpopo Province to attend and deliver the keynote address at Tshivhase Day celebration

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on matters relating to traditional and Khoi-San leaders, will on Saturday, 14 October 2023, attend and deliver the keynote address at the Tshivhase Day Celebration in honour of His Majesty Malilausumbwa Rampisi “Phiriphiri” Frans Tshivhase of the VhaVenda nation.  

The Tshivhase Day Celebration will be held at the Prince Thikhathali Stadium, Tshikombani village, Nzhelele, in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. 

The event will be held under the theme:  “Celebrating the life and times of Mailausumbwa Rasimphi “Phiriphiri” Frans Tshivhase’s contribution to the struggle for a free, just and democratic South Africa”.

His Majesty Mailausumbwa Frans Rasimphi Tshivhase was born in 1900 in Mukumbani, in the former Transvaal, and took over the reins as the Paramount Chief of the Tshivhase people in April 1930.

During his days of activism, he played a significant role in the struggle for freedom and democracy and was resolute in his opposition to the expropriation of the land of his subjects and persuasive in his defence of the rights of his people. 

During his reign, His Majesty Mailausumbwa Tshivhase refused to live side by side with impoverished subjects, and he waged a monumental struggle to defend the inheritance of his people.

In recognition of the heroic role he played, former President Thabo Mbeki on behalf of Government and the people of South Africa awarded the Order of Luthuli in Bronze to His Majesty Mailausumbwa Tshivhase in June 2004. The Order of Luthuli recognises contributions to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice, or peace and conflict resolution. 

It was founded in 2003, making His Majesty Mailausumbwa Tshivhase among the first South Africans ever to be so recognised in 2004. 

Deputy President Mashatile joins the celebrations in view of its potential to further contribute towards building unity and social cohesion amongst various communities in Limpopo.  

The Deputy President has further emphasised the fact that “the institution of traditional leadership occupies an important place in our communities and it contributes towards the restoration of the moral fibre of our society. It further plays a significant role in the reconstruction and development of the country, especially in the rural areas”.

In this regard, Government remains committed to continue working together with the Traditional and Khoi-San leadership in the fight against poverty, landllessness, and other social ills that afflict communities under traditional authorities.

Upon his arrival at the Tshikombani Village, the Deputy President will pay a courtesy call on His Majesty Mailausumbwa MPK Tshivhase and also meet with senior traditional leaders in the area, to provide an update on progress achieved by government in addressing issues raised by the traditional leadership.
 
Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by the leadership of the National and Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Cabinet Ministers, the Premier of Limpopo Province, Members of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Council, Mayors and senior Government officials.

Date: Saturday, 14 October 2023
Time: 09h00 (media to arrive at 08h00)
Venue: Prince Thikhathali Stadium, Tshikombani village, Nzhelele, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province
 
Media Programme

• 08h00 – Arrival and accreditation of members of the media at the Tshivhase Nature Reserve 
• 09h00 – Courtesy Call by Deputy President Mashatile to His Majesty Mailausumbwa MPK Tshivhase  
• 09h30 – Deputy President’s engagement with the Senior Traditional Leadership
• 10h00 – 13h00 - Main event at the Prince Thikhathali Stadium
 
For more information and accreditation, please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Tshamano Makhadi on 082 223 0621

Media enquiries: Mr Vukani Mde, Spokesperson to Deputy President Mashatile, on 081 307 9233

Issued by: The Presidency 
Pretoria