REPUBLIC OF VENDA
Venda, Sibasa · 1979-09-13
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 13 September 1979 in Sibasa, marking Venda's declaration of independence from South Africa. It carries the Venda independence set of four stamps, SAPO [number to confirm], depicting the territorial flag, a new administrative building, President Patrick Mphephu and the national coat of arms. Venda's new capital, Thohoyandou, takes its name from the Venda words for "head of the elephant", a name echoed in the elephant motifs appearing on both the coat of arms stamp and the cachet itself. Mphephu, pictured on the 4c stamp, had already served as the territory's Chief Minister since 1973 and became its first president on the day this cover was posted.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet is a gold embossed coat of arms set within a hexagonal frame, two elephants rearing on their hind legs to support a shield between them. The shield carries a smaller elephant motif and rests on a scroll bearing a Venda inscription. Above the shield sits a decorative crested finial. The whole design is worked entirely in raised gold foil against the cream envelope, with a matching small gold shield emblem in the top corner. Below the arms, the cover reads "Vhuḓilangi" and the date "1979-09-13".
Information Card
REPUBLIC OF VENDA Unlike some of the other larger ethnic groups of Southern Africa, the Venda constitute a well-defined homogeneous entity. Before the arrival of the Whites in the first half of the nineteenth century, the Venda led an isolated life in the fertile Soutpansberg area. They are linguistically related to the Shona tribes of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia and the Sotho tribes of Northern Transvaal. The Venda nation consists of twenty-seven tribes, each under the leadership of an independent tribal chief; through intermarriage these tribal chiefs also represent a number of dynasties. The dynasties have traditionally co-operated with one another and have helped to cement Venda unity. Territorial authority was instituted in 1962, and more comprehensive executive powers were granted in 1969. Autonomous Government was attained on 1 February 1973. Today, 13 September 1979, the territory becomes fully independent and the new state will henceforth be known as Republic of Venda. The Legislative Assembly comprises 42 nominated and 42 elected members. The chief of the Mphephu tribe, Patrick Mphephu, is also the Chief Minister of Venda. The new capital of Venda, Thohoyandou (the head of the elephant), is at present under construction. It will be well provided with financial services, as these facilities are already provided in Venda by established commercial banks and building societies. The stage is therefore set for a new era in the development of Venda, and there is no doubt that the granting of independence will lead to increased prosperity and sustained progress for its people. The total area of Venda is more than 630 000 ha. The land is basically fertile and the climate lends itself to the cultivation of a large variety of crops. This, coupled with various mining and general industrial activities, paves the way for further advancement and economical stability. It is of importance to state that Venda is practically frost-free, with a tropical to sub-tropical climate. The rainfall varies between 350 mm and 500 mm per annum. The country is therefore extremely suitable for the production of large quantities of vegetables and tropical fruits. The key to Venda's further progress also lies in projects such as the recently established Tshivhase Tea Estate and the Phaswana coffee plantations. There is no lack of man-power and the Government of Venda will ensure that, under the guidance and financial aid of the Venda Development Corporation, the various activities that are so important to the agricultural, economical and industrial advancement of the new state are continued and extended. REPUBLIEK VENDA Anders as sommige van die ander groter etniese groepe van Suidelike Afrika maak die Venda 'n goed omlynde, homogene geheel uit. Voor die koms van die Blankes gedurende die eerste helfte van die negentiende eeu het die Venda 'n afgesonderde lewe in die vrugbare Soutpansbergebied gevoer. Hulle het 'n taalverwantskap met die Shona-stamme van Zimbabwe-Rhodesië en die Sotho-stamme van Noord-Transvaal. Die Vendanasie bestaan uit sewe-en-twintig stamme, elk onder die leiding van 'n onafhanklike stamhoof wat ook, deur onderlinge huwelike, 'n aantal dinasté elk verteenwoordig. Hierdie dinastieë het tradisioneel met mekaar saamgewerk en het gehelp om Venda-eenheid te smee. Gebiedsowerheid is in 1962 ingestel en in 1969 is omvattender uitvoerende magte toegeken. Outonome regering is op 1 Februarie 1973 bereik. Vandag, 13 September 1979, word die gebied ten volle onafhanklik en die nuwe staat sal voortaan as die Republiek Venda bekend staan. Die Wetgewende Vergadering bestaan uit 42 genomineerde en 42 verkose lede. Die hoof van die Mphephu-stam, Patrick Mphephu, is ook die Hoofminister van Venda. Die nuwe hoofstad van Venda, Thohoyandou (kop van die olifant), is tans in aanbou. Dit sal goed voorsien wees van finansiële dienste, aangesien hierdie fasiliteite reeds deur gevestigde handelsbanke en bouverenigingskappe in Venda verskaf word. Alles is nou gereed vir 'n nuwe era in die ontwikkeling van Venda en dit onbetwyfeld sal welvaart en verdere vooruitgang vir dié volk lei. Die totale oppervlakte van Venda is meer as 630 000 ha. Die land is grotendeels vrugbaar en die klimaat is uiters bevorderlik vir die verboudi van 'n groot verskeidenheid gewasse. Dit, tesame met die gepaardgaande ontwikkeling op mynbou- en algemene nywerheidsgebied, verseker verdere vooruitgang op ekonomiese stabiliteit. Dit is belangrik om te meld dat Venda feitlik reënvry is, met 'n tropiese tot subtropiese klimaat. Die reënval wissel tussen 350 mm en 500 mm per jaar. Die land is dus uiters geskik vir die verbouing van groot hoeveelhede groente en tropiese vrugte. Die sleutel tot verdere vooruitgang in Venda is ook geleë in projekte soos die Tshivhase-teelandgoed en die Phaswana-koffieplantasies. Daar is geen tekort aan arbeidskragte nie en die Regering van Venda sal verseker dat onder die leiding en met die finansiële hulp van die Venda-ontwikkelingskorporasie, die verskeie bedrywighede wat sulke groot belang is vir die landbou, ekonomiese en industriële ontwikkeling van die nuwe staat, voortgesit en uitgebrei word.
Theme: Heritage
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.69 (ZAR)
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 248 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
