Bungeni

Template:Infobox South African town 2011 Bungeni is a sprawling settlement situated 13 km (8.1 mi) south-east of Elim Hospital in the former Gazankulu homeland, Republic of South Africa. Bungeni is situated in the Hlanganani district, alongside the R578 road (South Africa) to Giyani and Elim. During the demise of Apartheid in 1994, this western portion of Gazankulu was shifted to Makhado local municipality, in the Vhembe district. It consist of more than 11 large villages, which are Xikhulu, Mabodhlongwa, xitaci, mtsetweni, xihambanyisi, Nwa-Mhandzi, Xivambu, Nhjakanhjaka A, Nhjakanhjaka B, Wayeni, and formerly Mahatlani. According to the 2011 census, Bungeni has a population of approximately 18 300 people.

Geography and Geology

Geologically, Bungeni village is located on the 'tail end' of the Soutpansberg mountain range, being 8 KM away from the Soutpansberg mountain range and 6 KM from Levubu Agricultural plantations. It nestle beautifully on the hills, known as 'Spelenkon Hills', the soil type is the same as those on the Soutpansberg mountain range, it is very green during summer and khakhi during winter. Virtually all villages found at Bungeni are on top of hills or below hills. Rainfall at Bungeni resembles the same weather as found along the Soutpansberg mountain range. The maximum temperatures during summer are 34 degrees celsius.

History

Bungeni village, as it is known today, is of recent origin, Hosi Bungeni and his subjects arrived here between 1819 and 1820 as refugees from Mozambique during the wars of Soshangane, also known as Manukosi. Chief Bungeni and his people led a rebellious campaing against Nguni invaders, who not only oppressed the Tsonga people but also enslave Tsonga woman and children. Chief Bungeni tried to defend his people but was easily defeated by Soshangane and his soldiers. To avoid death and execution by Soshangane, Chief Bungeni and his followers fled and sought refuge at a place known today as Bungeni, under the authority of chief Njhakanjhaka. Chief Bungeni was made a senior headman by chief Njhakanjhaka. Another waves of Tsonga migration into Bungeni happen again between 1859-1863 during the civil war between Mzila and Mawewe, the two brother were fighting for a Kingship after the death of their father Soshangane. The last wave of Tsonga migration into Bungeni happened between 1890-1895 during the Portuguese and Nghunghunyane wars. Hosi Nhjakanhjaka Mukhari, the headman of Spelenkon (which included Valdezia and Elim), along with Joao Albasini, was a chief of all Vatsonga people in a place known today as Hlanganani. A place where Bungeni is situated today was known as Spelenkon (Xipilongo in Xitsonga) and was one of the most important sites of the Great Spelenkon empire, under the mighty arm of Joao Albasini. Hosi Bungeni was an assistant to Joao Albasini and Hosi Nhjakanhjaka, later, Hosi Bungeni was made a Senior traditional leader by the Apartheid government during the 1960s, a position he did not deserve to hold since he fell under the authority of Hosi Nhjakanhjaka. By contrast, the real paramount chief of the Vatsonga of Spelenkon, Hosi Nhjakanhjaka Mukhari, was made an 'Independent Headman' and was given a Tribal Office at Waterval township, below Elim Hospital. Bungeni village, along with Nwa-Xinyamani, Chavani, Mbhokota, Bokisi, Lemana, Njhakanhjaka (Elim), Shirley and Valdezia were collectively known as Spelenkon and became home to thousands of Tsonga refugees fleeing the murderous and oppressive Gaza Kingdom under Soshangane, a Zulu General who has conquered the homeland of Vatsonga people in and around Southern Mozambique. Soshangane oppressed and terrorised the Tsonga people to such an extent that a wave of immigration into the Transvaal took place, thousands of Vatsonga fled their homes (ku Baleka) and settled at Spelenkon. By length, Bungeni share a border with Nwa-Xinyamani and Ha-Mashamba (Venda settlement) until Ka-Nkuzana, which is 10 km (6.2 mi) long, its brendth, it share a border with Ha-Mashau (a Venda settlement) until Bellevue (Ka-Wayeni), which is also 10 km (6.2 mi) long, making Bungeni one of the biggest Traditional Authority in the Makhado local municipality. In 2019, Bungeni village will be 200 years old.

Education

Bungeni has 5 secondary schools, which are Russel Bungeni Secondary school, Hluvuka High School, Marholeni Secondary school, Bellevue secondary school and Mahatlani Secondary School. There are 12 Primary schools at Bungeni. There are: Nhjakanhjaka Primary, Muhluri Primary, Mkhono Higher Primary, Bungeni Primary, Xitaci Primary, Mtsetweni Primary, Xihambanyisi primary, Ndlavheya Primary, Nwa-Mhandzi primary, Wayeni primary, Mahatlani primary and Masungi primary.

Health

Health care is extremely poor, there are 2 community clinics, which are Bungeni health centre and wayeni health centre, both are attached to Elim Hospital. HIV and Aids has been a leading cause of death amongst young people but with the availability of ARV's, death toll has slowed down.

Development

Bungeni is one of the most developed villages in the Makhado local municipality. The most developed section of Bungeni is Nhjakanhjaka A village, a small suburban called Mandela and Tana na Pulani has houses and mansion that compete with Makhado Town. Nhjakanhjaka A has a fully fledge filling station, a U Save Shoprite complex, and a community Radio, known as Hlanganani Community radio.The village has three famous soccer team: Bungeni Young Tigers, Arrow Chiefs & Bungeni New Born

Famous People

Bungeni is blessed to be the home of some well-known people. Some of the well-known people include David Mathebula who is a famous footballer in PSL. Another notable individual is Falaza Mdaka who is leading the Limpopo provincial task team, Robert Nkuna who is the Advisor to the Minister of Energy, Tiyani Rikhotso the spokesperson in the Department of Transnport.