The mood was emotional when hundreds of villagers converged at the Makumbane royal palace at Tshisahulu to meet their long lost brothers, who were forcefully removed by the previous regime to far-flung areas in the Malamulele and Giyani areas in the former Gazankulu homeland.

Some cried, embracing each other, while others licked the soil in happiness that they had at long last returned to the place they call home, even though it was for a short time only.

This was during a brief visit last week by former residents of Tshisahulu, who were forcefully removed and placed in camps in the bare bushes with dangerous wild animals around They came to visit their forefathers’ graves and also to renew their ties with their long-lost friends and relatives. Some have been away for such a long time that they constantly asked about places they used to play and till the fields, a clear sign that the area has changed a lot. Some of the elderly were proclaiming that one or the other was a boy when they parted in the late 60´s. Some claimed to have left their prized possessions like livestock and other immovable goods as they were not given enough time to prepare for the removal at the time.

According to the leader of the visiting group, Mr Gilbert Nwaila, a delegation from Tshisahulu visited Mabiligwe in 2000 to see if they could still trace the remnants of those who had been forcefully removed in 1968. "It was a wonderful experience to have met again after such a long time and to find that most of those who were moved by GGs, as the removal trucks were called at the time, were still alive," he said. Nwaila said they lived in harmony with their Vhavenda brothers and sisters until that fateful day in 1968.

"I remember vividly the day when, out the blue, trucks just arrived and we were told that we had to move to a place we did not even know," he said. He said they managed to salvage only a few possessions and headed for the unknown. "It was a painful experience, but there was nothing we could do. Some could not cope with the new environment and died within a few days of being relocated," he said. Nwaila said the move was aimed at dividing the VaTsonga and Vhavenda as they were a closely knit unit. "We are just glad that, even though they succeeded to a certain extent, they were not able to break our ties completely. Here we are today, gathered as brothers and sisters," he said.

"Our forefathers are buried here and there is no way we can forget this area. The visit today shows our commitment to each other. Nothing will separate us; this is the beginning of great, good things to come," he said. "We might be staying far from here physically, but we shall always belong here. We have a rich history associated with this area," he said. He said it was most satisfying to notice that, even after such a long time, the people had not forgotten each other. Nwaila said they had been subjects to the late chief and the fact that they left before the current traditional leader was enthroned does not mean that they were no longer his subjects. "We shall always be one and the visits will continue. Who knows, maybe one day we will decide to come back and settle for good as we know we are still welcome," he said.

The day was marked by festivities which included traditional dances like xibelani, malende, tshikona and other dances. An elated Khosi Vho Makumbane later addressed the visitors, saying that he was humbled to realize that people who were ruled by his father a long time ago still regarded him as their traditional leader. Makumbane said he was still too young to understand when the group was forcefully removed to far-flung areas. "As I was growing older, I began to understand the previous regime and that we used to live happily with our Vatsonga brothers. I wished I could reverse the clock and have those people here," he said.

"The visit is like a dream come true for me as they are here today in our midst and we are together as one. Unity is the winner here," he said. Makumbane said it was an honour for him to see old people who were ruled by his late father to come and pay homage to him. "This goes to show that traditional leadership has a long way to go and will not fade away like fashion," he said. He said the day would go down into the history books of his reign as a sign of good things to come. He said it signified that people had not forgotten their roots and it was only a matter of time before they were again united without barriers. Makumbane paid tribute to the old man Nwaila for keeping the bonds of the Vatsonga/Vhavenda strong and intact. "You are our pillar of strength, our living dictionary. Most of the things happened when we were still very young, but you are able to narrate everything to us,"he said. Makumbane said all should be united as one nation and fight tribalism on all fronts. "We are part of a united and new South Africa. Let’s all vigorously fight this monster called tribalism that is threatening to tear our communities apart and bury it once and for all," he said.

Khambane Daniel Khambane from Ha Mugumo, who was lucky to remain when others were removed in that year, said it was good to be gathered together and enjoying things as one people. "This shows vision on the side of our chief. He has a vision for the future South Africa which will not be divided according to tribes and racial lines. We just hope this village returns to its past and we live harmoniously with each other. Let this village be an example for all other villages who suffered the same fate," he said.