Venda people

The Venḓa (VhaVenḓa or Vhangona) are a Bantu people from Southern Africa. Most live near the border of South Africa and Zimbabwe. The Venda language started around the year 1400 from meetings with Sotho-Tswana and Kalanga groups.

The Venda are linked to the old Kingdom of Mapungubwe from the 1300s. From stories passed down, King Shiriyadenga was the first king of both Venda and Mapungubwe. The kingdom reached from the Soutpansberg in the south across the Limpopo River to the Matopos in the north. It became weaker around 1300 because of climate changes, and people moved north toward the Great Zimbabwe Kingdom.

The first Venda settlement in the Soutpansberg was led by Chief Thoho-ya-Ndou, which means “Head of the Elephant.” His royal kraal, or village, was called D’zata. D’zata was the capital of the Venda Kingdom. The old ruins of D’zata are now protected. The Mapungubwe Collection has important objects from the site and is shown in the Mapungubwe Museum in Pretoria. The Venda are related to the Sotho-Tswana peoples.

History

Further information: Venda Kingdom

The Venda people come from central and east Africa. They moved to their current home near the South African-Zimbabwean border long ago during a big movement of people called the Bantu expansion. Today, the Venda include groups like the Vhangona, Takalani, and Masingo. The Vhangona are considered the original inhabitants of the Venda region.

A very old kingdom called Mapungubwe existed from about 1220 to 1300 AD. It was a center for trade and had many people. The people there were skilled in mining metals like copper and iron. They made goods from cotton and glass, and grew crops like millet and sorghum. They also knew a lot about the stars and used astronomy in their daily lives and traditions. Mapungubwe was an important place before later settlements like Great Zimbabwe.

Notable Venda people

This section lists some well-known people from the Venda community.

Some notable Venda people include:

• Benedict Daswa - A South African school teacher recognized by the Catholic Church.
• Mulalo Doyoyo - A South African engineer, inventor, and professor.
• Thomas Gumbu - A South African politician.
• Mmbara Hulisani Kevin - A South African politician.
• Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya - A South African politician.
• Noria Mabasa - A Venda artist known for her work in ceramic and wood sculpture.
• Joe Mafela - A South African actor, film director, and singer.
• Makhado - A 19th-century King of the Venda people.
• Milicent Makhado - A South African actress.
• Tshilidzi Marwala - Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, and a South African engineer and computer scientist.
• Florence Masebe - A South African actress.
• Michael Masutha - A South African politician.
• Shaun Maswanganyi - A South African athlete.
• Mark Mathabane - A South African tennis player and author of Kaffir Boy.
• Eric Mathoho - A South African footballer.
• Kembo Mohadi - Vice President of Zimbabwe.
• Patrick Mphephu - The first president of the Venda region.
• Daniel Mudau - A South African footballer.
• Sydney Mufamadi - A South African politician.
• Fulu Mugovhani - A South African actress.
• Mukhethwa Mukhadi - A South African singer, rapper, producer, and director.
• Elaine Mukheli - A South African singer and songwriter.
• Collen Mulaudzi - A South African long-distance runner.
• Mbulaeni Mulaudzi - A South African middle-distance runner.
• Rhoda Mulaudzi - A South African footballer.
• Phathutshedzo Nange - A South African footballer.
• Phillip Ndou - A South African boxer.
• Lovemore Ndou - A South African boxer.
• Prince Neluonde - A South African lawn bowler.
• Fulufhelo Nelwamondo - A South African engineer and computer scientist.
• Tshilidzi Nephawe - A South African basketball player.
• Joel Netshitenzhe - A South African politician.
• Khumbudzo Ntshavheni - A South African politician.
• George Phadagi - A South African politician.
• Fred Phaswana - A South African businessman.
• Kagiso Rabada - A South African cricketer.
• Vhambelani Ramabulana - A South African politician.
• Rodney Ramagalela - A South African footballer.
• Cyril Ramaphosa - The 5th President of South Africa.
• Gabriel Ramushwana - Former head of the Venda region.
• Phophi Ramathuba - A South African politician and medical doctor.
• Rudzani Ramudzuli - A South African footballer.
• Khume Ramulifho - A South African politician.
• Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona - A South African musician.
• Rasta Rasivhenge - A South African rugby union referee.
• Frank Ravele - The second president of the Venda region.
• Riky Rick - A South African rapper, songwriter, and actor.
• Gabriel Temudzani - A South African actor.
• Dan Tshanda - A South African musician.
• Mashudu Tshifularo - A South African educator and medical specialist.
• Jacob Tshisevhe - A South African footballer.
• Mpho Tshivhase - A South African philosopher.

Musangwe

Musangwe is a traditional Venda practice of bare-knuckle fighting. It was created for fun and to earn respect from others. Even though the Venda culture usually discouraged fighting, musangwe offered a safe way to solve arguments. If someone was challenged to fight, they had to accept or face consequences like fines or punishment from community leaders. Winners were often given prizes chosen by the chief or headman.

These fights had no set time and ended when one person gave up. There were no doctors at the fights, but village elders watched to make sure the rules were followed. Biting or kicking were not allowed. Betting on the fights was also not allowed. Fighters competed only for the honor of their village or family, not for money.