Vhavhenda

The Vhavhenda, Venda or Vhavgona are various names of a people of Limpopo province in South Africa. They are one of the eleven indigenous peoples who lived in South Africa prior to European colonisation. They speak their own language, Venda and have their own distinct culture and customs.

Note

For information on the former Bantustan, see Venda.

History

The kingdoms of Mapungubwe and Venda were united under a king, King Shiriyadenga in the 9th Century AD/CE to form Vhavgona or Vhavhenda. [ [http://www.unpo.org/member_profile.php?id=55] Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation] [ [http://www.ohchr/english/bodies/chr/docs/English.pdf] Statement to UN Commission on Human Rights, 2006] Much of the traditional authority system then set up was gradually eroded by other peoples (both indigenous and colonists) over the following centuries.

Most remaining tribal powers were taken away when the kingdom was subjected to centralized laws and government with the passing of the South Africa Act 1909, creating the Union of South Africa in 1910.

However the culture, language and traditional figures of authority still remain. This people's flag is that of the former kingdom [ [http://www.unpo.org/member_profile.php?id=55] Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation] , as distinct from that of the Bantustan which was set up during apartheid. [ [Venda] , wikipedia article on the former Venda Bantustan]

With the creation of the post-1994 state of Limpopo, this people form a minority.

Today

Since the early 1990s, which was a turbulent period in Venda, a movement for political self-determination has emerged.

The majority of the Limpopo state is made up of other peoples, predominantly indigenous groups themselves, and may oppose an autonomous Venda state, however a movement calling for self-determination has campaigned at the international level. This movement is aggrieved at the severe disadvantages during the period of apartheid and at iniquities resulting from the present system of land administration [http://www.unpo.org/member_profile.php?id=55] Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation] .

This movement largely has several complaints with the present administration: that the provincial government fails to respond to the concerns and demands of this group, who are little represented in the administration; that the name Venda has disappeared in local government along with increased autonomy; that its sacred sites are largely unprotected and unreasonable seizures of land have resulted and do result in less favorable conditions for this indigeneous people; and that the pension funds set up under the Venda Bantustan, which accrued during apartheid have not been paid to its former administrators and public workers.

ee also

Ethnic Groups

Bantustans under Apartheid in South Africa

References

External links

[http://www.unpo.org/member_profile.php?id=55] Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation