Mukhesi in the sources
Mukhesi was the son and successor of Raluswielo (Tshivhase) at the head of the Tshivhase house. Sources differ on whether Mukhesi and Luvhengo were one ruler or two: the Commission has a single Mukhesi Luvhengo Ramarumo who ruled from 1834 to 1867, while Luonde has Mukhesi followed by his son Luvhengo.
What the sources say
In the Commission’s record. The Tshivhase house’s account says Mukhesi Luvhengo Ramarumo ruled from 1834 to 1867, and that the first white settlers arrived in his reign to establish the Transvaal republic, acting with the British to disarm the community; many leaders and their subjects were arrested and tortured, and some were killed resisting taxes (pp. 624 to 625).
In local oral history. Luonde says Mukhesi moved the residence from Dopeni to Phiphidi, subjugated the Vhangona of Phiphidi and attacked Mukumbani and Tshivhungululu. His son Luvhengo moved it to Mukumbani, placed his sons in various villages and kept good relations with the Ramabulanas, sending his regiment to help conquer Botlokwa; while it was away he died. His second son Tshivhenga, accused of poisoning his elder brother Lihalima, was disowned, and crowned himself, but the Ramabulana and Tshivhase regiments expelled him. The youngest son Ligegise was the chosen heir. Fokwang records only that Mukesi’s reign was marked by skirmishes with his neighbour Chief Mphaphuli (citing Stayt 1968). Wikipedia’s list gives Mukesi/Luvhengo as ruling to 1865, and names a Tshivhase succession conflict in 1865 ending with Ligegise’s accession in 1867.
Cautions
The poisoning story and the sequence Mukhesi then Luvhengo come from a community site, and we have not seen a second source. The Tshivhase house’s history is told differently by the Commission’s record, local oral history and academic work, and the dates and names do not always agree; where they differ we say so and take no side.
Izithakazelo and totem
We are printing no Mukhesi praises or totem because none has been confirmed. If you belong to the Tshivhase house and recite its praises, we would like to record them, with your permission and credited to you.
Sources and further reading
- Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims: Determination on the Vhavenda kingship claim (the Tshivhase house’s account, pp. 622 to 627, and findings, pp. 645 to 648)
- Luonde: Ha-Tshivhasa (community site; no author, date or sources given, so treat as unverified oral history)
- J. T. D. Fokwang, thesis (2003), University of Pretoria electronic theses, chapter 2, “Historical background to the Tshivhase chiefdom, Venda” (read by us in this chapter only)
- Wikipedia: Venda Kingdom (lists of Tshivhase rulers; it cites Loubser 2024, Beach 1980 and others)
Not to be confused with Mukhesi of Tsianda, a Vhalaudzi ruler of the 1880s.
See also Tshivhase, Masingo and Ramabulana.
Do you belong to the Tshivhase house? Tell us your praises and what elders say about the history, and we will add it, credited to you. Share what you know or WhatsApp 065 138 8213.