Vhatwanamba in the sources
Wikipedia’s Venda people article says the land of the Vhangona was later settled by Karanga-Rodzvi clans from Zimbabwe, and names the Vhatwanamba among them with the Vhanyai and Vhalembethu.
What the sources say
Two community sites disagree with that. The Know My Roots blog, which spells the name Vhatwamamba, calls the clan a Vhangona clan that settled, with the Vhalea, at Musina, Mapungubwe and Ha-Tshivhula, and the Luonde site also lists Vhatwamamba among the Vhangona. Neither gives a source.
The Commission’s determination on the Vhavenda kingship claim does not mention the Vhatwanamba.
Cautions
We cannot say whether the Vhatwanamba belong with the earliest inhabitants or the Karanga-Rodzvi arrivals; the sources conflict and none is verified. We found no confirmed totem or praise text.
Izithakazelo and totem
We are printing no Vhatwanamba praises or totem because none has been confirmed. If you belong to the Vhatwanamba and recite your praises, we would like to record them, with your permission and credited to you.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Venda people (tagged as needing more citations; its clan list has no inline citations)
- Know My Roots: Venda Clan Names (community blog; no author or citations given, so treat as unverified)
- Luonde: Brief History (a community site; no author or bibliography given, so treat as unverified)
See also Vhangona and Masingo.
Do you belong to the Vhatwanamba? 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.