Republic of Venda | |||||||||
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| 1979–1994 | |||||||||
.svg) Flag  Coat of arms | |||||||||
| Motto: "Shumela Venda" (Venda) "Always Aspire for Venda" | |||||||||
| Anthem: Pfano na vhuthihi (Venda)a Peace and Togetherness | |||||||||
 Location of Venda (red) within South Africa (yellow). | |||||||||
| Status | Bantustan (de facto; independence not internationally recognised) | ||||||||
| Capital | Thohoyandou 22°57′S30°29′E / 22.95°S 30.48°E /-22.95; 30.48 | ||||||||
| Official languages | Venda[1] English[1] Afrikaans[1] | ||||||||
| President | |||||||||
• 1979–1988 | Patrick Mphephu | ||||||||
• 1988–1990 | Frank Ravele | ||||||||
| Head of State | |||||||||
• 1990–1994 | Gabriel Ramushwana | ||||||||
• Jan–Apr 1994 | Tshamano Ramabulana | ||||||||
| Legislature | Legislative Assembly | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Self-government | 1 February 1973 | ||||||||
• Nominal independence | 13 September 1979 | ||||||||
| 5 April 1990 | |||||||||
• Dissolution | 27 April 1994 | ||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
| 1980[2] | 7,410 km2 (2,860 sq mi) | ||||||||
| Population | |||||||||
• 1980[2] | 315,545 | ||||||||
• 1991[3] | 558,797 | ||||||||
| Currency | South African rand | ||||||||
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Venda (/ˈvɛndə/VEN-də), officially theRepublic of Venda (Venda:Riphabuliki ya Venḓa;Afrikaans:Republiek van Venda), was aBantustan in northernSouth Africa. It was fairly close to the South African border withZimbabwe to the north, while, to the south and east, it shared a long border with another black homeland,Gazankulu. It is now part of theLimpopo province. Venda was founded by the South African government as ahomeland for theVenda people, speakers of theVenda language.[4] The United Nations and international community refused to recognise Venda (or any other Bantustan) as an independent state.
Venda was declaredself-governing on 1 February 1973,[5] withelections held later in the year.[6] Furtherelections were held in July 1978.[6] The territory was declared independent by the South African government on 13 September 1979, and its residents lost their South African citizenship.[7][8] In common with the otherBantustans, its independence was not recognised by the international community.
Venda was initially a series of non-contiguous territories in theTransvaal, with one main part and one mainexclave. Its capital, formerly atSibasa, was moved toThohoyandou (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 (2628 sq. mi.).[4] In the1984 elections, the ruling Venda National Party retained its position as ruling party, beating the perpetual oppositionVenda Independent People's Party (VIPP).[6]
At independence in 1979, the population of Venda stood at about 200,000 people. The state was cut off from neighbouringZimbabwe by theMadimbo corridor, patrolled by South African troops, to the north, and from nearbyMozambique by theKruger National Park.[4]
The first President of Venda,Patrick Mphephu, was also a Paramount Chief of the Vhavenda people; he was born and lived inDzanani in Limpopo. His successor,Frank Ravele, was overthrown in amilitary coup by theVenda Defence Force in 1990. Afterwards, the territory was ruled by the Council of National Unity, amilitary junta chaired by GeneralGabriel Ramushwana. Venda was re-incorporated into South Africa on 27 April 1994.[5]
In 1982, theUniversity of Venda, known as Univen, was established as an institution of higher learning for the Vhavenda people.[9]
Districts of the province and population at the 1991 census.[3]
The Venda National Force was established with Venda's independence in 1979 and included defence and other services such as police and prisons. Strangely enough, traffic policing was part of this national force, but, by 1981, it was transferred to the Department of Justice. The Fire Brigade was, however, still part of the Venda National Force, although there were plans to transfer this to the civilian government.
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