“Dead and buried.” This is how traditional leader Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase referred to the longstanding battle between him and Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu over the kingship conferred on the latter.

Tshivhase said he had the interests of the Vhavenda nation at heart and there was no longer any wrangle for the kingship. He has now recognised Mphephu as the king of all the Vhavenda people, himself included.

This announcement came as a bombshell to many people, considering the bad blood that existed between the two.

The secretary of the Tshivhase royal council, Chief Lambani Tshivhase, also confirmed the new position taken by the Tshivhase dynasty. Although mixed feelings still exist about the turn of events, many believe the announcement has been long overdue and will contribute towards nation building and uniting the Vhavenda people.

Each of two parties said the decision was the best thing to have happened for the Vhavenda people in a long time. Thovhele Tshivhase said the decision came from him and he was not forced by any other person.  “A definitive decision such as this one starts with one person who, against the wishes of many, tells himself 'I am now doing this',” Tshivhase said.

“I talked to myself and realised that we are a family, and if we do not unite, no outside force will come to unite us,” he said. Tshivhase said he relayed his decision to the family elders and other stakeholders. “I made it public even before we sat down to discuss it because I think it is the best thing to happen to the Vhavenda nation,” he said.

He added that he had also considered the damage it was causing as it pitted brother against brother. “We belong to one family of the Masingo. We cannot keep on fighting and, as leaders, we must be exemplary and unite the whole of Venda,” said Thovhele Tshivhase.  He said the bickering had caused a lot of damage, even on the political front. He said all the pending cases were now history. “I am 53 years old now, and having to go to the courts time and again is not doing me any good. I am losing time that I would otherwise be using profitably for our people,” he said.

Tshivhase revealed that he is now in constant conversation with the king. “We speak almost every day about things that affect us and the nation as a whole. There is no turning back; no one will come between us. We are moving forward and we will support each all the way. This will benefit not only us but the Vhavenda nation as a whole,” he said.

Vhavenda King Toni Mphephu said there had never been bad blood between him and Tshivhase. “Firstly, we are one family and we know chieftainship squabbles have been part of our lives. I took it as a game and not personally," he said. "My stance has not changed. I have stated before that our doors will remain open, and we warmly welcome what Tshivhase has done." He stated that the new development was not for personal gain but in the interest of the Vhavenda nation.

When asked how he felt about the sudden turn of events, Chief Luvhaivhai Tshivhase, who has been very outspoken about the matter, said he could not comment on the matter. “This has not been communicated to us. We heard about it on the radio, but what I know is that we are going to have a meeting on 30 August, and that is where we will come up with a statement,” he said.

Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha has also hailed the new development. “It is not only for the good of the two but for the entire province as a whole,” said the happy premier.