Makhado (also: Makhato or Makgato, c.1839 – 3 September 1895) was a 19th-century chief (or ''khosi'') in the Singo (or Vhasenzi) dynasty of the Vendas. They ruled over the Dzanani "district" of the Zoutpansberg region of

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. He was the youngest son of ''khosi'' Ramabulana who died in 1864 when Makhado was about 25. Makhado's mother was Limani, noted for her political intrigue. Makhado's first wife was Nwaphunga. According to Venda historian M. H. Nemudzivhadi, Nwaphunga conspired with a pro-Boer faction among the Venda, and poisoned him in 1895.

Accession

Limani was the daughter of the ''khosi'' of Tshitavhadulu. He intended her to become the new great wife of Ramabulana's younger brother Ramavhoya, then ''khosi'', after her sister's passing. With the voortrekker Louis Tregardt's assistance, Ramabulana was able to overthrow Ramavhoya (who earlier had unseated him) and took the option to marry Limani.

Genealogy

* Thohoyandou the Great * Munzhedzi Mpofu (''khosi'' at Tshirululuni till 1829) * Rasithu (also known as: Rasethau,Rasetau means "whose father is a lion" Ramabulana, Ramapoelana, Munzhedzi and Ravele), ruled c.1830 and 1836–1864), Ramavhoya (ruled c.1830–1836) and Madzhie were sons of Mpofu * Davhana and Makhado were sons of Ramabulana * Maemu Malise, Alilali Tshilamulela (Mphephu I, or M'pefu), Sinthumule and Kutama were sons of Makhado * Mbulaheni George (Mphephu II) * Ramaano Patrick (Mphephu III, 1924–1988), president of

Venda Venda () was a Bantustan in northern South Africa, which is fairly close to the South African border with Zimbabwe to the north, while to the south and east, it shared a long border with another black homeland, Gazankulu. It is now part of the ...

bantustan (1979–1988) * Tshimangadzo (Dimbanyika Thohoyandou II) and Toni (Mphephu Ramabulana)

References

{{reflist Venda people Monarchies of South Africa 1895 deaths People from Limpopo Year of birth uncertain