The cloud of sadness still hangs over Madombidzha Village, after the death of the dedicated, charismatic and disciplined leader of the Lemba clan, Ishe Vho-Khanyakhanya Fredrick Raulinga. Raulinga, who passed away on Monday, July 19, at the age of 80 after a short illness, was laid to rest at the Madombidzha cemetery last Saturday.

Raulinga was born at Mutholini Ha-Maila Village to Masilo Charles Raulinga and Muvhulawa Raulinga Hamisi. He received his primary education at Mailaskop and Mantfort Catholic schools. He proceeded to Pax Institution in Polokwane, where he he received his secondary education, trained and qualified as a teacher in 1951.

Raulinga started working as a professional teacher at Paxola Practicing School in 1952. He was a co-founder of Mphephu Primary School in 1958 and worked at the school before he was transfered to Kutama Secondary School and later to Sinthumule High school. Raulinga then joined the Department of Education´s head office at Makwarela in 1990. He joined the language service division of the department, where he worked as a language practitioner, senior language practitioner and later as the chief language practitioner.

In 1994, Raulinga was seconded to the provincial government in Polokwane to translate the government bills for the provincial legislature, where he worked until he retired in 1995. He conducted research on Tshivenda subjects, focusing on vocabulary, proverbs, Tshivenda language idioms and orthography. He further conducted research focusing on the Lemba/Sena and the Vha-venda people´s history and culture. He also researched the Lemba clan´s geneology in depth, focusing on the surnames for the Vha-Lemba people.

Raulinga was also attached to the Pan South African Language Board. He also presented the documentaries on Lemba and history and culture on television and radio, as well as giving Tshivenda lessons on Phalaphala FM. He was the deputy president of the Lemba Cultural Association and wrote numerous publications.

The Premier of Limpopo, Mr Cassel Mathale, said he was saddened by Raulinga´s death. "Raulinga played the same role which the former presidents of the Lemba Cultural Association, Ishe Vho-Mutenda, Ishe Vho-MER Mathiva and Ishe Vho-SE Mueti, played in uniting the Lemba people," said the chairperson for the Lemba Youth Cultural Association in South Africa, Mushavhi Laurance Bale.

He is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters.