Thohoyandou (meaning elephant head) is the administrative and legislative centre for this Venda region in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Previously it was the capital of the Bantustan of Venda. This town was named after Thohoyandou, one of the Venda people leaders. Thohoyandou was established as a capital of Venda in 1979 after Sibasa, even after it was restored back to South Africa after the aparthaid ended 1994. Around town there is a guest house which was formerly occupied by the former chief and president of the Venda people Chief Patric Mphephu, which is worth visiting surely. Capital Polokwane Largest city Polokwane Area  - Total Ranked 5th 123,900 km² Premier Mbhazima Shilowa (ANC) Population   - 2001   - 1996   - Density (2001) Ranked 4th 5,273,637 4,929,368 43/km² (Ranked 3rd) Languages Races Black (97. ... Map of the black homelands in South Africa as of 1986 Map of the black homelands in Namibia as of 1978 Bantustan is a territory designated as a tribal homeland for black South Africans and Namibians during the apartheid era. ... Venda was a bantustan in northern South Africa, now part of Limpopo province. ...

This was the former capital of the "independent state" of Venda during the Apartied era.

It is one of the fastest growing towns in Limpopo Province. University of Venda is the institution of higher learning which is found at Thohoyandou. This is not just any town, it's a town with its surrounded with small communities that ended showing Thohoyandou as a central business district. University of Venda, situated in the fast growing town of Thohoyandou on the southern slopes of the Soutpansberg Mountains, has repositioned itself in accordance with the social and economic needs of South Africa and the international community. ...

Although Thohoyandou is not only just a town around Limpopo province, it is the main market center and has great entertainment and a huge development.

Thohoyandou is well known for its traditional roots, which means upon visiting it you will be welcomed by the warmest hands in the Venda region, the people who visit Thohoyandou town go back home with many stories about the beautiful culture it posses.

In adddition to its culture the town is well known for its beautiful hand-made traditional clothes, pots, decorating materials for houses and sculptures.

Since Thohoyandou has very little industries and factories which means that there is very little pollution (air pollution, noise pollution and water pollution. In this town you find peace and traquility that is needed.

The new developments that are happening in town resulted in great structures like the mall which provides a great shopping experience for the young and old.The Thohoyandou town render services which are perfomed by the biggest cities in South Africa.

Coordinates: 22°57′S, 30°29′E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

The former homeland of Venda is now part of the Northern Province and is the home of the Vahvenda people. Lake Fundudzi and Thathe Vondo Sacred Forest are important sites for Venda mythology. Home of the python god, Lake Fundudzi is sacred and can only be visited with permission from the priestess of the lake. There are a number of trails through the forest and hikers can view the lake from the surrounding hills.

The ruins of the Tshiungane stone fortifications, near Sagole, are worth a visit, even if just to see the largest baobab in Africa. Ceremonial domba drums are made at the nearby village of Mutale. Visitors can watch the domba dance, which is performed during the months of September to December. Venda herbalists and diviners can also be visited by arrangement.

Culture

There are various cultural activities that goes on around Thohoyandou and these include traditional dances Tshigombela and Domba

Wood carvings are one of the cultural ways that the Venda express and s lot of carvings are found in cultural shops in Thohoyandou. These carving are claimed to be the best in South Africa. The expertise in wood carving was developed over generations. Thohoyandou is one of the few remaining town in South Africa that is still characterized by strong cultural cohesion. Besides traditional dances, spiritual dances, wood carvings, bare fist fighting is one surprising cultural practice that one can find in Thohoyandou. Locals however claimed that the fight are well managed by the elders present hence the activity should not regarded as barbaric.

The dominating enthic group in Thohoyandou is Vendas and fringes of other ethnic groups

Attraction

Visitors to Thohoyandou usually have to visit some interesting tourist centers like the Phiphidzi Falls (10 Km from Thohoyandou), and Fundudzi lake (25Km from Thohoyandou). Fundudzi is unique in that it is the only natural lake in South Africa. Again one is only about 70Km away from Punda Maria Gate, the entrance to the reputable Kruger National Park. Besides the natural attractions around Thohoyandou Tusk Venda Casino Hotel is one of the modern resort centers around Thohoyandou. A lot of interesting and entertainment programs are always lined up every month. For example in September every year there is the Venda Torpedo Tournament and the Blitz ‘em’ Bucks Draws.

Economy and Industry

The main business around Thohoyandou is retailing with the main shops including Spar and Shoprite. There is also a modern shopping complex. This shopping complex was built from 2003 to 2004.The complex was planned to cater for the growing population in Venda. The place is so beautiful and it makes shopping more easier and most people prefer shopping here.This is the best hyper market ever built in Thohoyandou and it’s the most reliable one. It has two outlets which focus primarily on provision of commodities and services to the market surrounding Thohoyandou. It boasts of having the biggest shelved floor area of all central business district based shops

 Another significant proportion is also employed in the private sector bus companies. A small proportion is also employed at the Tshikondeni mine however just like in any small or growing town in South Africa, the government employs the largest proportion of the total population. 

Taxi rank

It is situated just opposite to the complex to make it easier for the citizens there who will be buying from the complex. The way it is structures shows that the planner was thinking rationally. There are some other taxi ranks but this one is the most clean and well structured taxi rank. The taxis only move locally to Thohoyandou, Tshilamba, Tshisaulu, Sibasa and Makwarela. Polokwane is the only place that is outside Venda were this taxis can go.

 High court. 

This place of great importance in the whole of Thohoyandou, great variation of government offices are found here where the high court is. Places like Giyani and Malamulele depend on this High court as it is one of the commonly known in Venda. Some other functions carried out there are Seakapa Business Enterprises, structural engineers and contractors.

Infrastructural Development.

Thohoyandou is one on the growing towns of South Africa. Currently the new shopping mall is still under construction and there have been a remarkable improvement in new and quality of buildings being constructed. The Vembe Disrict Municipality Building that are found one the upper part of the Thohoyandou are also being revamp. If the speed of development is maintained then surely Thohoyandou could become like one of the medium sized cities of South Africa.

Nearby Cities Thohoyandou is 70Km away from Louis Tritchard ,170Km away from Polokwane (former Pietersburg) and 70Km way from the nearest entrance to Kruger National Parks, Punda Maria Gate.

(11576226) (11565042)