Premier Ramathuba celebrates Thovhele Ntshandule’s inauguration in Limpopo

The speech by Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba marks a truly special moment in the history of the Mutele Clan: the inauguration of Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule as their new traditional leader. This event, held in Musina Municipality, Vhembe District, is historic because it sees a woman ascend to this powerful position, signalling a progressive shift in traditional leadership that embraces education, empathy, and development alongside cherished heritage. The Premier also used this opportunity to acknowledge the challenges facing the Ha-Mutele community, such as water shortages, poor roads, and youth unemployment, while committing government support to tackle these issues and unlock economic opportunities through better land management and investment.

Key details of the inauguration

• Event: The official inauguration of Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule as the new traditional leader of the Mutele people.
• Date: The ceremony took place on 10 October 2025.
• Location: The Mutele Traditional Council, situated within the Musina Municipality in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province.
• Key people involved and their roles:
  • Dr. Phophi Ramathuba: Premier of Limpopo Province, who delivered this significant speech.
  • Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule: The newly installed traditional leader of the Mutele community.
  • Cllr Siyaphi Shirilele: Speaker of Musina Municipality.
  • Mr Azwinndini Gavhi: A representative of the Mutele Royal Family.
  • Mr Basikopo Makamu: MEC for COGHSTA (Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements & Traditional Affairs).
  • Cllr Freda Nkondo: Executive Mayor of Vhembe District.
  • Cllr Nkhanedzeni Godfrey Mawela: Mayor of Musina Local Municipality.
  • Hosi Pheni Ngove: Chairperson of the Limpopo Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership.
  • Other attendees included senior traditional leaders, representatives from faith-based organisations, members of the business sector, distinguished guests, and members of the media.
  • The late parents of Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule, Khosi Mutele Khorommbi John and Nndafhiseni Emmah, were mentioned for instilling strong values in her.
• Companies or institutions involved:
  • Mutele Traditional Council
  • Musina Municipality
  • Vhembe District
  • Limpopo Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership
  • The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements & Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA)
  • University of Venda, where Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule earned her Honours Degree in Social Work with Psychology.
  • Thengwe High School, where she completed her matric.

A new era of leadership and community development

It was with immense pride and respect that I, Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, stood before the Mutele Clan to witness the inauguration of Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule. This day is a truly significant moment for the Mutele people, as it not only honours a deep tradition but also promises a fresh start for the community. It’s a moment of celebration, hope, and clear purpose as we formally welcome Vho Thovhele Mutele Livhuwani Ntshandule as the rightful leader of the Mutele people.

The Mutele Traditional Community has a rich history, much like the Limpopo River, with its traditions running through many generations. Our ancestors walked this land with dignity and bravery, preserving customs through rituals and ceremonies. Today, the leadership baton, previously held by figures like Thovhele Mutele Ndwammbi and Khosi Khorommbi John, passes to a powerful, capable, and visionary woman.

It is truly inspiring to see a woman taking on the highest traditional role of the Mutele people. This is more than just a historical event; it’s a transformative one. It signals a new chapter where outdated patriarchal customs are replaced by progressive values, where wisdom is not limited by gender, and where traditional leadership evolves while still keeping its core essence. The Mutele Royal Family deserves commendation for this bold decision, sending a clear message to Limpopo, South Africa, and indeed the entire world that women are equally capable of leadership, preserving culture, and advancing their communities. This marks a new page in the Mutele Clan’s history.

Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule grew up as a princess, shaped by royal expectations and the Christian values taught by her late parents, Khosi Mutele Khorommbi John and Nndafhiseni Emmah. She excelled in her studies, completing matric at Thengwe High School before earning an Honours Degree in Social Work with Psychology from the University of Venda. Her academic achievements highlight her dedication and desire to serve humanity. She is a leader who truly understands the struggles of her people, not from a distance, but from a place of deep empathy and purpose. Her combination of education, tradition, and spirituality positions her among a new generation of traditional leaders who are ready to both preserve heritage and bravely tackle modern challenges with intellectual strength.

I want all young traditional leaders here today to see her story as an inspiration. In this modern age, royal lineage alone isn’t enough. Our people deserve leaders who are educated, ethical, focused on development, and globally aware. We strongly encourage all future traditional leaders to continue their studies, so they can effectively drive development in their communities.

As the government, we stand firmly with Vho Thovhele Mutele Livhuwani Ntshandule and her council. We are well aware of the challenges facing Ha-Mutele and its surrounding villages: water shortages affecting both homes and livestock, poor road infrastructure that isolates villages and impacts schooling, a lack of modern school facilities, inadequate traditional council offices, high youth unemployment, and ongoing safety concerns due to limited policing. We want to assure the community that we hear you, we see you, and we are committed to working together to address these issues. More news and updates on how the Premier’s office is addressing these issues can be found on the Premier’s Office News page.

One of the most valuable assets of traditional communities is land, yet much of it remains unused. The 7th Administration is working to finalise a framework that will help traditional councils lease land for sustainable investment. This means leasing, not selling, the land through fair agreements that will bring in income, create jobs, improve roads, generate business opportunities, and ensure long-term development. Our province’s traditional areas hold some of the richest land. If used strategically for agriculture, tourism, renewable energy projects, mining partnerships, and small business infrastructure, this land can unlock the economic freedom our people have long awaited. The time for unused land is over; we must think boldly and act decisively. Investors are ready, opportunities are here. The time is now to work with the Limpopo Provincial Government to realise these opportunities.

To Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule, you carry the expectations of your community, but you also have our full support. Lead with humility, courage, and wisdom. May your ancestors walk with you, and may God guide you. May your leadership bring unity, dignity, and development to the Mutele people, and may your reign be prosperous and peaceful. Thank you.

Questions and answers for the community

1. What is the main purpose of Dr. Phophi Ramathuba’s speech?
   The speech is to celebrate and formally inaugurate Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule as the new traditional leader of the Mutele people, and to highlight government’s commitment to supporting the community’s development.
2. Who is the new traditional leader being inaugurated?
   The new traditional leader is Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule.
3. Why is her inauguration considered historic and transformative?
   It is historic because she is a woman ascending to the highest traditional throne, which marks a significant shift away from patriarchy towards progressive leadership that values education and empathy alongside tradition.
4. What kind of educational background does Vho Thovhele Livhuwani Ntshandule have?
   She completed her matric at Thengwe High School and holds an Honours Degree in Social Work with Psychology from the University of Venda.
5. What are some of the key challenges facing the Ha-Mutele community mentioned in the speech?
   The community faces water shortages, poor road infrastructure, lack of modern school facilities, absence of proper traditional council offices, youth unemployment, and persistent safety issues due to limited policing.
6. How does the government plan to address these challenges and support the community?
   The government is committed to working with the traditional council to address these issues. This includes finalising a framework for traditional councils to lease land sustainably for income, jobs, roads, and business opportunities, and encouraging strategic land use for agriculture, tourism, and other economic ventures.
7. How can the strategic use of land benefit the Mutele community?
   By leasing land for sustainable investment, it can bring income, create jobs, improve local roads, generate business opportunities, and foster long-term development. It also offers potential for agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, mining partnerships, and small business infrastructure.
8. What message does the Premier have for young traditional leaders?
   The Premier encourages young traditional leaders to pursue further education and strive to be educated, ethical, development-driven, and globally aware leaders who can drive progress in their communities.
9. How can community members participate in or benefit from these departmental activities and plans?
   Community members can engage with their traditional council and local government to learn more about the land leasing framework and other development initiatives. Supporting local businesses and community projects linked to these plans will also contribute to their success.
10. Where can I find more information about the Limpopo Provincial Government’s initiatives and Premier’s news?
    You can find more information on the Limpopo Provincial Government’s website and specifically for Premier’s news, visit the Premier’s Office News section.
11. What is the overall vision for the Mutele community under the new leadership?
    The vision is for a united, dignified, and developed Mutele community where traditional leadership evolves to meet modern challenges while preserving its rich cultural heritage, leading to economic freedom and prosperity for all.