Warthogs Of Venda

Chapter 1

It was just after the brutal regime of Apartheid was enacted and passed into law in South Africa. The government of South Africa built a system of Apartheid based on segregation - segregation by colour, class, and ethnicity. The government divided the country into different provinces where black people, in particular, would stay. The apartheid system feared the unity of black people and chose to separate them into regions based on languages and tribes. There were ten regions: Lebowa, Transkei, Venḓa, Bophuthatswana, Kwazulu, Qwaqwa, Gazankulu, KwaNdebele, Ciskei and KaNgwane.

The regions would be allowed to rule over themselves and have systems mimicking the Republic of South Africa, such as taxes, a president, and ministers.

The Republic of South Africa instructed the regions to form their government with a president, all reporting to Pretoria under the Republic of South Africa. 

The Venda parliament is in the capital city of Thohoyandou. A massive gathering of honourable members of society, including Kings, Queens, tribal chiefs, and prominent members, gathers inside the parliament building to elect a president and adopt the constitution of Venda.

Pretoria has handpicked Chief Justice Madafula to ensure a free and fair election in the region. The Chief Justice is a well-read, short man with a receding hairline and protruding ears. He is highly respected in the province and slightly feared by all those whose cases land before his desk.

When the Chief Justice entered the parliament building, everyone took their seats and was ready to proceed with the meeting. The members of parliament follow the protocol and stand up to sing the national anthem. 

The program director calls on Chief Justice Madafula to address the house.

"A land without a King to rule over leads to bloodshed and carnage. The rich, strong, and corrupt will fill the vacuum and lead the people astray. Our forefathers kept the lineage pure and strong by stating that only those born of royal blood could be kings. A throne should never remain vacant for a long time. When we leave here, let us leave this parliament having elected the first president of Venda. Bophuthatswana, Kwazulu, and others have long elected a president and a strong leadership of ministers. I do not think we are any less capable of doing the same. Unity and togetherness must reign supreme, and we must all work together to form a government that will improve the lives of the people of Venda and bring forth infrastructure development for the region." The person saying this is Chief Justice Maḓafula staring at the Honourable members of the parliament. 

The parliamentary building is booming with a resounding noise of support, applause, and acknowledgment of Chief Justice Maḓafula's words emanating from the parliamentary benches. What nearly spoiled the party was the decision on who should take the country's reigns and be elected Venḓa's first president. The two names nominated from the parliamentary floor were Phundulu Dimbanyika and Makhonya Luvhone. The contestation of the top leadership position will conclude when the parliament's election body declares the election results. 

The two nominated members of the house have time to pitch to the members of parliament and highlight their skills, experience, and priorities should they be elected as president of Venda. "I am the great-grandchild of the first king of Vhavenḓa, King Dimbanyika. My leadership will rely on the tradition, values, and culture of the Vhavenḓa people. Kings and chiefs will rule the land, as has been the case since the time of the first Venḓa king, Dimbanyika!" The person saying this is Phundulu. 

"The citizens of the country will decide leadership through voting. One-man, one-vote. The people will elect who they wish to rule over them for a period not exceeding five years. After five years, the leadership and parliament will dissolve, and citizens will again head to the polls to elect new leaders. This system will not allow a dictatorship to take root and rule over us. A president cannot serve a third term and is limited to two terms or 10 years in power." The person saying this is Mr Luvhone. 

The two front-runners concluded their campaign speeches and asked to vacate the main parliamentary hall so that elections could commence. The electoral body began its work, and all members of parliament began voting. After the members of parliament vote on the ballots, the electoral body and its staff count and verify the votes. After some time, the Chief Electoral Officer declared the result free and fair. He then announced that Phundulu was victorious with the majority of the votes. Loud cheers emanated from the section of parliament where the kings and tribal chiefs were seated. The Chief Electoral Officer informed Phundulu that he has 14 days to form a government.

"What has happened today is history in the making. The Vhavenda nation has always taken culture, tradition, and ancestors seriously. What you have done here today is preserve that royal lineage. The person you have elected today is the right person because he has royal blood running through his veins. A king does not rule but delegates to chiefs, ndunas, and uncles." The person saying this is Chief Justice Madafula, happy as a child seeing their mother returning home with a pack of sweets.

Now that we have achieved the primary purpose of the day, the honourable members of parliament began drafting a new constitution of the Republic of Venḓaland. One of the provisions adopted of this constitution was that the presidency of Venḓaland must always be in the hands of a king or one with royal blood, and government ministers must consist of at least two commoners.

"Leadership requires skill, expertise, and qualifications. The other tribes in South Africa have gotten this aspect right and have formidable ministers in their government. We should also emulate them or risk being humiliated and becoming the laughing stock of the whole country." The person saying this is Mr Luvhone. 

"Some among us are sore losers! They are patiently waiting for our downfall so they can say with their chest that they knew we couldn't rule successfully. Even if we were to walk on water, they would say that we are directing dust their way. Nothing is good if not initiated or done by them. Ṅwali, in all his wisdom, elected Kings as the custodians of culture and shepherd of his folk. Let us guide them with the care and strength needed to please God and honour his faith in us." The person saying this is Phundulu, visibly annoyed at the inference that he does not know what he is doing.

As the hours flew by, Chief Justice Madafula reminded Phundulu that he must elect an executive to run the country across all its sectors. A king does not rule; only chiefs, ndunas, and uncles rule. A king merely delegates. The elected executive will leave their tribal lands where they serve as chiefs and kings and move to the capital city of Venḓaland, Thohoyandou. All living expenses of the elected officials will be sponsored and paid for by the state. The government will foot the bill for the food the members eat, the houses and maintenance thereof, the cars and maintenance thereof, and all other expenses related to the execution of duty by the honourable ministers. The new ministers who happen to be kings must appoint a regent who would rule on their behalf. 

Phundulu has 14 days to consult and form his new government. True to his nature and rewarding those who had supported him, He named a cabinet full of close friends and family. The idea was to consolidate power among people whose loyalty is guaranteed.

The following Thursday, members of parliament can be seen waiting patiently to be addressed by their new president, Phundulu! They have patiently waited for an announcement about the new cabinet, hoping Phundulu will call their names. The hearts of many kings are beating fast as they await Phundulu to read out the names of his ministers in government. The man or woman chosen to serve as minister will gain instant power, status, and wealth. The government will sponsor anything and everything in their lives. 

"Honourable members of parliament, guests from near and far, including the Vhavenda nation listening to my address on radio and television, I greet and welcome you all this morning. Today is an auspicious day in our small country. We have been waiting with bated breath for this day to arrive.  Kings have always ruled over the land. If we stray from this path, the ancestors may turn in their graves and cause great misery to befall our lives." A loud noise of cheer and applause emanates from the parliamentary benches where the kings are seated.

"As president, the task to select my first-ever cabinet of ministers was not easy. This parliament is full of individuals who ooze great work ethic, qualifications, integrity, and determination to see the citizens and country of Venḓaland develop in terms of infrastructure and standard of living. My phone has been very busy the past two weeks, and I received visitors trying to sway my vote to appoint them as ministers. A lot of people tried to bribe me, but that only disqualified them from my government because I seek to create a government that is free from nepotism, fraud, and corruption. Unfortunately, I only have a few ministerial positions in my current term, and I know someone will be hurt by whatever action I take. It is as if cattle that belong to the king enter a field and eat a farmer's maize. If the farmer herds the cattle, he is in trouble; if he leaves them to eat the maize, he is in trouble. Without further delay, ladies and gentlemen, your cabinet is as follows: the people who will work with me are Mr. Ṋengwani, Mr. Maḓilonga, Mr. Thanyani, Mr. Tshiḓaho, Mr. Gambula, Mr Maanḓa, Mr. Maduka, and Mr Khongoni. I trust that this executive committee will meet the requirements and expectations of the society. My only ask is for the citizens and kings that may have been left out of my cabinet to work together with us to advance the lives of our people." The person saying this is Phundulu as he proceeds to take his seat. 

President Phundulu took his seat, and Mr Luvhone stood up on a point of order. "This cabinet is not properly constituted and cannot stand as is. The constitution adopted by this parliament states that the cabinet must consist of at least two commoners as ministers. President Phundulu's cabinet does not even have one commoner in this cabinet, only kings! The rationale behind the provision of commoners in the cabinet was for those without royal blood to be represented and spoken for in this government. It is for this reason that this cabinet is unconstitutional." The person saying this in defiance of the announcement is Mr Luvhone.

"The cabinet, as declared by President Phundulu, is constitutional. It is his prerogative to elect and appoint any member of parliament. Who among us is against this cabinet, as declared by our president? A throne is worth having when there is a contestation for it. That is what Tshivenḓa says. Kings have always ruled since time immemorial. If we let a commoner rule, the ancestors will forsake us and let the wolves tear our flesh from our bones. A challenge to the president is tantamount to treason, and those who seek to overthrow the president will rot in prison." The person saying this is the newly appointed minister of police, Madilonga.

"I will form a new party with the kings you have left out of your so-called cabinet of ministers. The party will be known as the Party of The People of Venda (P.P.V). This political party will be grounded in the principles of democracy. We believe that the people have the power. It does not tolerate dictatorship or nepotism to reward friends and relatives. The constitution of this country will be the highest law of the land. No one will be allowed to do as they please." The person saying this is Mr Luvhone, smiling as he addresses the crowd.

"Do you think what my political party, Nation of Venda (N.V.P), is doing is not enough? My political party is grounded in the old-age traditions and culture of the Venda people. Kings have ruled since the beginning of time and will continue to do so for as long as I am alive. You will not force us to abandon our beliefs to appease a few individuals who are bitter that their names are missing from the list of cabinet ministers. Mr Luvhone will not blackmail us into letting commoners rule over kings. We are prepared to do everything to protect the traditions and culture of the Venda people by any means necessary." The person saying this with disdain and anger peaking from his confident demeanor is Phundulu.

Chief Justice Madafula saw fit to diffuse the situation in this heated altercation and started giving thanking remarks to all the guests gathered on this history-making day. "I am thankful and honoured once again to address this great house full of dignitaries of the highest regard. Healthy debates are encouraged in a young and thriving democracy. The advancement of democracy should not conflict with the traditions of the Venda nation. A person does not respect the person occupying the throne but the throne itself. We must be mindful of the tone and manner of how we debate, always ensuring that respect is paramount at all times. In a democracy, different points of view are welcomed and do not turn members of parliament into foes. The difference in point of view should not go home with us to a point where we plot the assassination and blood flow of our fellow members of parliament. To debate with each other is a game of democracy." 

Chief Justice Madafula adjourns parliament, and everybody leaves the parliamentary precinct and heads to Vhuṋamba Hotel for refreshments and lunch. The chefs have gone out to prepare a feast for kings and queens. There are long tables decorated with white sheets, each with platters of different types of food. Various bottles of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to wash down the food are visible and positioned behind the platters. You can find the buffet prepared for the kings at a wealthy man's daughter's wedding.

There is beef, chicken, mutton, goat, and wild game meat. All meals are prepared in different ways to cater to the dietary requirements of the aging members of parliament. Some food has salt, and others do not. There are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to wash down the food with. The catering team is so prepared that when one platter of meat finishes, another replaces it almost simultaneously. It was a big day for those with big appetites as long as they didn't overdo it and throw up. The members of parliament who couldn't handle their alcohol went home unable to walk and had to be carried home by their staff and support aides.

Standing over the balcony enjoying a bottle of whiskey, Phundulu and Madilonga discuss the events that transpired during the day. The two men are intoxicated at this point and are overly loud and rowdy. "My friend, did you hear the audacity from that man's mouth? How dare he challenge you and the authority bestowed upon you by honourable members of parliament? We must act fast and neutralize him before he turns everybody against us." The person saying this is Madilonga, looking to instill rage in his best friend.

"Maybe he thinks I am not suited to be president of Venda; who knows? He is a dangerous man who takes chunk-sized bits while hiding in the dark. He will root us out of power if we don't stand up and show our might and power."  The person saying this is Phundulu, looking worried.

"What did you say? Take who out? How can he take out the descendants of the original inhabitants of Venda? The warriors traveled many decades across deserts and borders to arrive in the land now called Venḓa. The warriors that came before us would turn against us. A commoner can never be allowed to lead because he will guard the fruit tree but occasionally take bites of the fruit. The child of a lion will always be a lion, and the child of a snake will always be a snake. We know no king other than the descendent of the first king of Venda, Dimbanyika. Calm your heart, young bull, and know that the country knows your word is law. Your leadership is bestowed upon you by blood and is forever! The person who challenges you is arching for trouble because the head does not fight with its neck." The person saying this is Maḓilonga 

"Today, I have heard everything! Are you telling me that the biggest threat to my presidency is Luvhone?! We have to deal with him harshly and set an example for all those who wish to take me on and out of power. I must bury my timid heart and do what is necessary. I must eliminate all feelings of mercy and forgiveness from my heart. I would rather be feared than respected. I must turn myself into a monster. In this country, there will be only one center of power, and that is me!" The person saying this is Phundulu speaking to Maḓilonga, his best friend. 

Phundulu and Maḓilonga concluded their conversation and joined the other members. The drinks flowed all night, and the music blasted through to the Wii hours of the morning. The men sing initiation school songs that young men learn during the cultural transition from boy to man. Hogo fills the air. 

Madilonga seems particularly happy with himself. He is grinning from ear to ear. He has managed to turn Phundulu against Mr. Luvhone. All he has to do now is fan the flames and stop them from dying.