Makwarela in the sources
Makwarela succeeded to the Mphaphuli house at the end of the nineteenth century. Wikipedia’s list gives his reign as 1904 to 1925, and names a succession dispute of 1889 to 1891 between the Mphaphuli sons Makwarela and Tshikalange. Luonde lists Tshikalange as a ruler between Ratsibi and Makwarela.
What the sources say
The Mphaphuli house told the Commission that the later holders were Tshilala, Ratsimbi Ranwedzi, Makwarela, Phaswana, Magwedzha and Mpandeli (p. 621), and the Ralushai Commission heard the same order from the house’s spokesman. Wikipedia then lists Phaswana (1927 to 1948), Makhado Mphaphuli (1948 to 1950), Magwedzha (1951 to 1966), a vacancy with a regent, Mpandeli (1970 to 1975), another vacancy with a regent, and Musiiwa from 1990. Luonde says one of the villages of the Mphaphuli area is called Makwarela township; we do not know the connection between the name and the ruler.
Mulaudzi writes that the Bantu Authorities Act of 1951 was a blow to the Mphaphuli, who lost many areas and their Tsonga subjects (see Mphaphuli Traditional Council). See also Ranwedzi and Madadzhe.
Overview article
His dealings with the missionaries are told in The Berlin Mission in Venda, 1872 to 1908.
Cautions
We found no account of the Makwarela’s dispute with Tshikalange beyond the single line in Wikipedia, and the sources disagree on whether Tshikalange ruled. The Mphaphuli house’s history is told differently in the Commission’s record, local oral history and academic work, and the names and dates do not always agree; where they differ we say so and take no side.
Izithakazelo and totem
We are printing no Makwarela praises or totem because none has been confirmed. If you belong to the Mphaphuli house and recite its praises, we would like to record them, with your permission and credited to you.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Venda Kingdom (list of Mphaphuli rulers and succession disputes; it cites Loubser 2024, Beach 1980 and others)
- Luonde: Ha-Mphaphuli (community site; no author, date or sources given, so treat as unverified oral history)
- Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims: Determination on the Vhavenda kingship claim (the Mphaphuli account, pp. 618 to 622, and findings, pp. 648 to 664)
- Lufuno J. P. Mulaudzi, “Historicising the politics of vhuhosivhuhulu: the Venda polity and state formation in South Africa, c.1800s-2020”, DPhil thesis, University of Pretoria (2020), chapter 9, pp. 211 to 212
See also Mphaphuli, Masingo and Tshivhase.
Do you belong to the Mphaphuli 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.