Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Dulivhadzimu Gorge, located in Beitbridge, along the mighty Limpopo River, is a significant historical and cultural site that showcases the country’s rich heritage.
This natural feature, situated some 15 minutes west of the border town, holds great cultural value and mystique, with the potential to attract tourists interested in exploring Zimbabwe’s diverse cultural landscape.
However, few seem to care about the significance of this magnificent feature and its relationship with Beitbridge Town and the Vha Venda tribe.
After a quick drive through Beitbridge town, one will come across Dulivhadzimu suburb, Dulivhadzimu Clinic, Dulivhadzimu United Football Club, Dulivhadzimu Pharmacy and Dulivhadzimu Stadium — proving the great significance of this gorge.
Dulivhadzimu Gorge serves as an aide-memoire for those with existing knowledge of the Venda culture.
The aura of mystique enhances the cultural value attached to this natural feature.
Legend has it that the gods and ancestral spirits of the Venda used to dwell there.
It is a sacred place where, in days of old, many stories were told about villagers hearing traditional Venda drums and the sounds of cows mooing, but surprisingly without a trace as to where exactly the sounds were coming from.
According to some senior citizens, the name Dulivhadzimu means Duli la vhadzimu (the ancestor’s mortar and pestle).
“This is a place rich in history and as senior citizens, we feel that it should be preserved by the installation of a perimeter wall built using mortar and stone, considering that other forms of perimeters, like wood or mesh, can be stolen,” said Mr Hosea Masitha Ndou.
He said folklore has it that the place was a preserve of the Moyo Makakavhule clan, who periodically perform cultural rites at the place.
Another senior citizen said the Limpopo River, called Vhembe in Venda, meandered a few kilometres from the bridge, and the place where it meandered was full of rocks. There was a boulder in a narrow gorge, where it re-joined the river.
He said the water flowed fast, with lots of pressure. It was pushed hard on the rocks, splashing on the other side of the boulder, making a loud sound like that of a pounding mortar and pestle.
This sound could be heard as far as 40km away from the gorge.
“Our elders by then would say it was the ancestors’ mortar and pestle pounding and in Venda that meant Duli la vhadzimu. However, around 1929, some white men moved from Mutetengwe to where the current town is following the construction of the Old Limpopo Bridge by the Alfred Beit Trust,” said the senior citizen.
“It was during this time that they felt the sound from the gorge was giving them (the white men) sleepless nights, prompting them to blast the boulder to get rid of the sound.”
He said back in the day, the rocks around the gorge were used as a bridge by villagers, who lived nearby, to cross to the other side of the river before the construction of the bridge.
Mrs Lumbedzani Libombo appealed to the Beitbridge Municipality to secure the area.
“We are very concerned about the state of affairs at that gorge, which is becoming a playing ground or a place where people decide to go and dump whatever bad things they feel like casting away.
“This place is so dear to us as the Venda community. We have since approached traditional leaders over the issue and we expect to see some action soon,” she said.
According to legends, the river was home to a rare breed of vicious zebra-striped crocodiles that were commonly known as Nyelenga in TshiVenda.
The gorge, believed to be a preserve of Makakavhule descendants, is a respected shrine where the pool in the gorge never ran dry even during times of famine.
Beitbridge West legislator, whose area covers the magnificent gorge, Cde Thusani Ndou said, “This place is very significant in the history of the Venda people and the growth of our town Beitbridge, as you can see some places are already carrying the gorge’s name.”
He said there is a strong need to document cultural and historical information about the gorge to preserve the place and give it the recognition it deserves.
Cde Ndou said there is a compelling need for investment in the area, to make it one of the protected tourism sites in the district.
Beitbridge Culture officer, Mr Cossam Zulu, said the importance of the gorge is placed more in its intangible cultural heritage elements than its physicality or morphology.
“So, its richness in terms of cultural significance and most probably even with some religious overtones comes out through the stories told by its custodians,” he said.
The area where the gorge is located falls under Beitbridge Municipality, with authorities at the council indicating that they want to invest in the area as one of the major tourist attractions as they transform the town into a modern city.
Town clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola, said the local authority had so far resolved to set up a Venda cultural village around the gorge.
He said, among other things, the village would have a shop selling traditional regalia, a top-class restaurant and may offer some water sport activities.
“This Venda village will also showcase the Venda culture and history. Once this is in place, we hope it will attract tourists into the gorge,” said Mr Ramakgapola.
“As Beitbridge Municipality, we consider Dulivhadzimu Gorge a major tourist attraction within the town. The gorge being a traditional place, we have briefed the local Chief Tshitaudze about the council’s plans. We hope that even the Makakavhule clan, who we are told are the custodians of the gorge, have been advised of these plans,” he added.
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Mr Ramakgapola said that working with other Government departments, the council intends to install a statue of a prominent personality in the district around the area.
“All these efforts, we think will help attract tourists to the town and the gorge,” he said.
Chief Tshitaudze (David Mbedzi) said local traditional leaders have been discussing the best ways to preserve cultural and heritage sites across the district, including Dulivhadzimu Gorge.
He said the families and clans known to perform cultural rites at these places would be engaged before investments are made in the selected areas.
Chief Tshitaudze said Dulivhadzimu Gorge is a major cultural symbol for the Venda people, deserving recognition.
“We are still engaging as traditional leaders and doing the necessary research. We want to follow all traditional processes, respecting the various clans or families known to take care of these shrines,” he said.
“The starting point would be fencing the area so that there is no continued deflowering of the place. We should pride ourselves as a people, document all the information and keep it for use by generations to come.”
A spokesperson of the Makakavhule clan, Mr Enos Makakavhule, said the family still holds the gorge in high regard and they have since advised the local authority (Beitbridge Municipality) on the rightful steps to follow before investing in the place.
He said in September 2022, the local authority approached them through the late Headman Mabidi, to seek advice and assistance in developing the gorge into a historical site.
Mr Makakavhule said after consulting within the clan, they advised that the place should be fenced using mortar and stone and not a fence because of its sacredness, noting that previous attempts to erect a fence had been futile.
“Every time the council tried to erect a fence, it would disappear until they approached us via the now late Headman Mabidi for assistance. This is a very important shrine where elders perform cultural rites for rain and other important traditional matters in our community,” he said.
“We appreciate their interest and it is good that we preserve the place in a traditional way. This is a work in progress and we must continue having dialogue so that we carry out all the necessary cultural rites to develop that place into a significant shrine that may attract tourists and even those who want to learn more about the Venda culture.”
Mr Makakavhule said elders from the family used to do cultural rites at Dulivhadzimu Gorge concerning the development of some critical projects around Beitbridge.
He said it is important for people to appreciate that whenever there are major developments to be done around the town, traditional leaders should be consulted to make sure everything is done properly.
“I have written a book about the significance of Dulivhadzimu Gorge and the importance of the Makakavhule clan when it comes to culture and heritage issues in Beitbridge. The book is ready and will be printed soon,” he added.
Dulivhadzimu Gorge stands as a testament to Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
This sacred site not only holds spiritual significance for the Vha Venda tribe, but also offers a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, education and sustainable tourism.
By preserving and promoting the gorge, Zimbabwe can celebrate its history, support local communities, and attract visitors from around the world. As efforts continue to develop and protect this remarkable site, Dulivhadzimu Gorge will undoubtedly remain a cherished symbol of Zimbabwe’s identity and a source of pride for generations to come.
