Travel: My road trip to Venda and all you need to know when visiting Venda

By: Gloria Masia

There is something about the N1 route. Those “I’m going home” feelings that get you excited about the visit. Thinking about all the food that granny will feed you with. The trees on the sideways that looks so green and immediately you think to yourself, “I can never starve in this land”. The soil is so fertile where it produces mouth-watering, juicy fruits and vegetables.

Food:

Mashonzha is Mopani worms that are caught before they could transform into butterflies. It is one of their favourites. It can be cooked with tomato and onions or dried, best served with ‘vhuswa’ which is porridge. The other favourite of theirs is ‘delele’ which are greens that when cooked becomes slimy. My all-time favourite is ‘Thsidzimba’ which is a mixture of all different types of peanuts and beans cooked together, very healthy I tell you. You can eat this as breakfast, lunch or supper, it really doesn’t matter.

Clothing:

Do not be amazed when you bump into females who are wearing less clothes and sometimes with their breasts out. It is by tradition to do so. It is priding women of their dignity.

There is one clothing that is worn by those declared ‘clean’ by the elders. The clothing is called “Shedo” it normally covers the back and front side. You do have to cover breasts because it is said that you are celebrating your youth.

Dances:

There are a lot of different dances for both women and men for different events and rituals. A ‘snake’ dance called “Domba” which is dunce by women of all age, especially young ones, this dance symbolizes unity when women come together and move together.

During rituals and celebrations, a dance that is performed is called “Malende” which involves singing and dancing, very fun and interesting. Storytelling is also done through these songs. Men have their own dance called “Tshikona” which there are no words uttered, but rhythmic music through the use of instruments.

Myths:

Well, there are a lot of things you would not believe if I told you, but my witness will be Venda’s’ because they sure know what I am talking about. Do NOT, I repeat, do not walk at night because things you will see are the things you will never know how to explain them to others. I know you want me to describe what I saw and you’re sure right I will, I warned you about doubting my truth, I’m not sugarcoating anything, well, there is this other tallest creature you’ll ever see, it’s called ‘Mphogoli’ so tall that you will never see its face, I know what you’re thinking and asking yourself. Maybe a “zombie?” you can call it that because it is made up of skeletons and definitely abnormal.

There is a breathing stone which now has been fenced to be kept safe, apparently, it is trying to tell them something. How they found out that it breathes is the loud noise it makes and if you put a light object on top of it, it gets blown and it is not the wind if that’s what you are thinking.

Activities:

There are many things to get to when you are in Venda. I like visiting famous sites like the Louis Trichardt golf club, The Baobab big tree which is the largest tree in South Africa and Mukondeni Pottery Village.

There are a lot of activities that one may engage in, even without spending anything. Venda is beautiful. There is Lake Fundudzi which a sacred lake of Venda people, which is not mostly visited because for myth's sake it is protected by a white crocodile. Well, apparently visitors are supposed to not directly look at the lake, but turn their backs and view the lake from between their legs.

Interests:

• The river flows right? Well, in this case, it doesn’t because there is a river that actually flows in the opposite direction.
• It is home to the tallest tree in South Africa planted in 1960
• Museum of Drum and Dzata ruins
• Dancing Fish Gallery where there are exhibitions about the Venda, Tsonga and Pedi people.

Weather:

The weather is sometimes bad, it can get extremely hot. If you’re taking a trip to Limpopo in general, prepare sunscreen, sun hats, umbrellas and all you could think of; actually, there’s nothing you can do about the high temperatures in Venda, just chill on the shade. Drink a lot of water, your body will need it.