Patrick Mphephu
Encyclopedia
Chief Patrick Ramaano Mphephu (1924-17 April 1988) was the first president
of the bantustan
of Venda
, which was granted nominal independence from South Africa
on 13 September 1979.
Mphephu was born in Dzanani settlement and after graduating from high school worked for the Johannesburg
City Council. A paramount chief of the Venda ethnic group
, he was appointed Chairman of the Ramabulana Regional Authority in 1959, Chief Counsellor of the Venda Legislative Assembly on 1 June 1971 and Chief Minister of the two discontiguous territories on 1 February 1973 when South Africa first implemented the black homeland policy. Mphephu was reelected in elections in August 1973 and his title changed to President upon independence. As President, he was also leader of the Venda National Party, the only recognized political party in the new state. Mphephu died in office and was replaced by his finance minister, Chief Frank N. Ravele.
Heads of state of Venda
-List of the Heads of State of Venda:-See also:*Bantustan*President of South Africa*List of State Presidents of South Africa*List of Prime Ministers of South Africa...
of the bantustan
Bantustan
A bantustan was a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South West Africa , as part of the policy of apartheid...
of Venda
Venda
Venda was a bantustan in northern South Africa, now part of Limpopo province. It was founded as a homeland for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language. It bordered modern Zimbabwe and South Africa, and is now part of Limpopo in South Africa....
, which was granted nominal independence from South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
on 13 September 1979.
Mphephu was born in Dzanani settlement and after graduating from high school worked for the Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
City Council. A paramount chief of the Venda ethnic group
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
, he was appointed Chairman of the Ramabulana Regional Authority in 1959, Chief Counsellor of the Venda Legislative Assembly on 1 June 1971 and Chief Minister of the two discontiguous territories on 1 February 1973 when South Africa first implemented the black homeland policy. Mphephu was reelected in elections in August 1973 and his title changed to President upon independence. As President, he was also leader of the Venda National Party, the only recognized political party in the new state. Mphephu died in office and was replaced by his finance minister, Chief Frank N. Ravele.