Chief Faranani Mavhunda (44) was finally installed as Chief of the Mavhunda community at the Mavhunda Royal Palace on Saturday. His father, the late Chief Talifhani Mavhunda, passed away in 2005, but he was not installed because of alleged sensitive family squabbles, and a regent chief was installed in his place. The whole community of the village and the surrounding villages flocked to the palace to pay tribute to their leader, Vho Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, who performed the installation rites. Other chiefs under the Mphaphuli dynasty also attended the event. Chief Faranani ‘s long wait was worth it as the throne was smoothly handed over to him by the caretaker chief, Edward Mavhunda, who had been at the helm since the death of the old chief. He described it as a rare scenario in the history of Venda traditional leadership, as people do not hand over a throne easily. Vho Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli spelt out the commandments to the new chief, which he said would make him a real people’s leader if properly followed. Mphaphuli said the new chief should distinguish himself as a unifying factor in the village and not belong to any faction. “Royalty can be traced back to biblical times when God would appoint a certain person to lead his people. You have been chosen by God to lead the people. Follow God’s will and your rule will be prolonged, “he said. Mphaphuli said he was saddened to see that, these days, royalty had to be contested through the courts of law, which had not been the case in olden times. Representing Contralesa, Vhamusanda Vho Ramugondo urged the new chief to join the movement for traditional leaders in order to tackle the challenges facing their communities as a unit. Chief Mavhunda said it was great day for his people and that he was aware of the challenges ahead of him. He said his immediate attention would be to engage the relevant authorities that a school could be built in the area. “We are quite aware of the challenges like water, electricity and roads in our area, but a school is needed as a matter of urgency. There is not a single school here and our children have to travel to other areas to access education. We need our youth to be educated in order for development to take place in our area,” he said.