Zebediela

24°18′36″S 29°16′12″E / 24.310°S 29.270°E / -24.310; 29.270CountrySouth AfricaProvinceLimpopoDistrictCapricornMunicipalityLepelle-NkumpiArea • Total59.62 km² (23.02 sq mi)Population • Total863 • Density14/km² (37/sq mi)Racial makeup (2011) • Black African86.7% • Coloured0.2% • Indian/Asian0.1% • White10.4% • Other2.6%First languages (2011) • Northern Sotho51.9% • Afrikaans9.3% • Tsonga5.4% • English4.9% • Ndebele28.5%Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)Area code015

Zebediela is a group of villages in Capricorn District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.^[2] It is south-east of Polokwane, next to Lebowakgomo. It is well known for the production of citrus fruits, mainly oranges.

Zebediela is home to the Zebediela Citrus Estate (13,785 hectares (34,060 acres)), one of the largest citrus estates in the country. Most of the citrus products produced at the estate are exported to the international market; the rest are supplied to local markets.^[3]

The dominant language in the area is Northern Sotho. The second most commonly spoken native language is 'Northern Ndebele' which is a home language of the Kekana royal family. Minority languages spoken in the area include Afrikaans, Venda, and Tsonga.

Etymology

The proper name of the group of villages is Sebetiela, named after a former Ndebele chief of the area. However, the association with citrus fruit production led to the use of Zebediela instead. It is also known colloquially as "ZB", "Zbee", or Dinamuneng ("place of oranges").

List of villages

These are the primary villages which compose Zebedelia:

• Moletlane
• Mogoto
• Mathibela
• Rakgwatha
• Matome
• Makushwaneng
• Madisha Leolo
• Motserereng
• Madisha Ditoro
• Magatle
• Mapatjakeng
• Makweng
• Ga-Mamogwaša
• Rafiri
• Molapo
• Makgophong
• Drogte
• Volop
• Bolahlakgomo
• Dicheung
• Beldrif
• Malatane
• Mehlareng
• Ga-Molapo
• Khureng
• Seruleng

Each village within Zebediela has their own chief or inDuna, which in turn are beholden to the King, the royal leader of Zebediela.

Attractions

Local tourist attractions include the Leshoka Thabang Game Reserve (next to Ga-Rafiri) and Zebediela Country Club in Farm Kleinwonder.^[4]

Zebediela Plaza is the main shopping center for all of the surrounding villages.

Notable people

Notable natives of Zebediela include singer-songwriters Umanji and Steve Kekana, as well as singer/rapper Senyaka.

Well-known football players Alex Bapela, Hlompho Kekana, Paseka Mako, and Motjeka Madisha are from Zebediela.

Healthcare

Groothoek Hospital was one of the biggest hospitals in the northern province before it was shut down. Zebediela Hospital in Magatle and Lebowakgomo Hospital now serve the villages.

Other healthcare providers include Unjani Clinic in Moletlane, as well as many other private general health practitioners and traditional doctors.

References