Venda

Infobox Former Country
native_name = Venda
conventional_long_name = Republic of Venda
common_name = Venda
continent = Africa
region = Southern Africa
country = South Africa
status = Bantustan
empire =
event_start = Self-government
year_start = 1973
date_start = February 1
event_end = Re-integrated into South Africa
year_end = 1994
date_end = April 27
event_post =
date_post =
p1 = South Africa
flag_p1 = Flag of South Africa 1928-1994.svg
s1 = South Africa
flag_s1 = Flag of South Africa.svg

image_map_caption = Location of Venda within South Africa
capital = Thohoyandou
title_leader =
leader1 =
national_anthem = [http://www.nationalanthems.info/vnd.htm Pfano na vhuthihi]
common_languages = Venda
religion = Christianity, Traditional African
currency = South African Rand

Venda was a bantustan in northern South Africa, now part of Limpopo province. It was founded as a homeland for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language.Lahiff, Edward, "An Apartheid Oasis?: Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods in Venda". Routledge, 2000, p.55. ISBN 0714651370.]

It was declared self-governing on February 1, 1973. [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/South_African_homelands.html Worldstatesman.com] has a chronology of Venda's transition to nominal independence and reintegration into South Africa.] On September 13, 1979, it was declared independent by the South African government and its residents lost their South African citizenship. [ [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,947404,00.html The Birth of a New Non-State] , in "Time Magazine", 24 September 1979] ["S. Africa Launches 'Independent Black State' of Venda," in "The Washington Post," 13 September 1979.] In common with other bantustans, its independence was not recognized by the international community.

It was initially a series of non-contiguous territories in the Transvaal, with one main part and one main exclave. Its capital, formerly at Sibasa, was moved to Thohoyandou (which included the old Sibasa administrative district) when Venda was declared independent in 1979. Prior to independence it was expanded to form one contiguous territory, with a total land area of 6,807 km². Its stated population in 1991 was 558,797 (This was not accurate), with the majority of Venda peoples in Southern Africa living within its territory. The state was cut off from neighboring Zimbabwe by the Madimbo corridor, patrolled by South African troops, to the north, and from nearby Mozambique by the Kruger National Park.

The first President of Venda, Patrick Mphephu, was also a chief of the Venda people. His successor, Frank Ravele, was overthrown in a military coup in 1990, after which the territory was ruled by the Council of National Unity. Venda was re-absorbed into South Africa on April 27, 1994.

In 1982, the University of Venda was established as an institution for higher learning for vha-Venda people. [ [http://www.univen.ac.za/history.php University of Venda website] , retrieved 28 June 2007.]

Venda is divided into small areas, such as Mukhase, where pure water can be found running off the mountain. The area contains wild animals such as elephants, lions, springbok etc.

Famous Venda people

* Rudzani Ramudzuli
* Ice p (Lusunzi)
* Phillip Ndou
* Professor Tshilidzi Marwala
* Joel Netshitenzhe
* Alfred Lusunzi
* Cyril Ramaphosa
* Thovhele Vho-Kennedy Tshivhase
* Mukoni Ratshitanga
* Maduvha Madima
* Mbulaheni Charles Mphephu
* Mmbara Hulisani Kevin
* Mbulaheni Mulaudzi
* Lukhwareni
* Stanley Liphadzi
* Aluwani Dzhivhuho
* Lusani Mafunzwaini
* Re. Thivhilaeli Simon Nedohe
*lufuno lefty Maphala

ee also

*Heads of State of Venda
*South African Translators' Association
*Vhavenda, the ethnic group who live in Limpopo state in South Africa.

Notes