The Ravele royal clan and members of the local broadcasting industry are in mourning after the death of Radio Thohoyandou and PhalaPhala FM’s former sales and marketing officer, Vho Ratshilumela Ravele, better known as “Vho Stranger Ravele”.

Vho Stranger Ravele (71), who lived in Thohoyandou Block P East, passed away in the MediClinic in Polokwane on Sunday, 22 October, after a long illness.

He was born and raised in the royal HaRavele Matsheketsheke clan (musanda) in Mauluma village, in the Nzhelele area. According to the family spokesperson, Mr Bethuel Ravele, he joined Radio Thohoyandou during its formation in the early 1980s, where he became sales and marketing officer. During his time at Radio Thohoyandou, Vho Ravele worked with the likes of Bishop Isaack Dagada (who later became the station manager), the late Victor Ravhuanzwo as his sales and marketing manager, Russel Tshiendangolo Mashige, and many others.

“When the then Radio Thohoyandou was merged with Radio Venda (now PhalaPhala FM) in 1999, he took a break but re-joined the station again in 2004 in the capacity of sales and marketing officer, until he retired in 2010,” said Bethuel.

Vho Stranger Ravele was described as hardworking person and unifier of the royal Ravele Matsheketsheke clan, who helped the clan find and reunite with some of its relatives. “The former state president of the Republic of Venda, Khosi Vho Ndwakhulu Frank Ravele, told us that the Muzila clan in Tshamulungwi village, in Harammbuda, Mutale, was part of the Ravele clan, so we visited the Muzila clan. Vho Stranger Ravele was part of the delegation. He helped us to reunite with them and we are one big family because of his interaction,” said Bethuel.

Vho Stranger Ravele is survived by his wife, Ms Pauline Moloko, and their six children, Phophi, Vele, Mashau, Khathutshelo, Irene, and Marubini.

He will be buried in the zwiendeulu (sacred burial site) at HaRavele in Barotha, Mauluma village, but at the time of our going to press, the family was still deciding on the date.