South Africa bids farewell to Hosi N’wamitwa II

Poems, songs, tributes and jubilant celebrations filled the air as hundreds of mourners, including senior government officials and traditional leaders, gathered to send Hosi Dr. Phylia Tinyiko Lwandlamuni N’wamitwa II to her final resting place.

She died on Monday, 09 February 2026 in a hospital in Johannesburg aged 85.

Hosi N’wamitwa II was accorded a category 2 official Provincial Funeral service which was held at Valoyi Cultural Village in N’wamitwa outside Tzaneen, Greater Mopani District on Sunday 22 February 2026.

The Provincial Funeral was attended by various dignitaries’ including State President of the Republic of South Africa Mr. Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, Minister of Defence Ms. Angie Motshekga and the Minister in the Presidency Ms. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni amongst others.

Hosi N’wamitwa II made history when she became the first female Traditional Leader of the Valoyi community back in 2008 following a protracted court battle against her cousin Mr. Sydwell N’wamitwa, the son of her father’s younger brother over the throne.
Known for being a unifier in the community, Hosi Nwamitwa II, was a committed leader and an epitome of wisdom within the Institution of Traditional Leadership in the Province who championed the construction of schools and clinics in the community.

Hosi N’wamitwa II was also a member of parliament during the dawn of democracy in South Africa (1994 until 2009).
President Ramaphosa described Hosi N’wamitwa II as a trailblazer and a visionary who served the nation with pride.

“Hosi N’wamitwa II was a trailblazer, a visionary and a leader who in many ways sat at an intersection of customary governance, constitutional democracy, gender transformation and rural developments, not only in Limpopo but also in our country. The late Hosi was also a philanthropist who leaves behind a rich legacy of community development and advancing the rights of rural women. She was firm that women should receive equal treatment in traditional courts on matters relating to customary disputes. She was a steadfast advocate for women’s rights and a powerful voice against gender-based violence. She was a custodian of the culture of the VA Tsonga and supported the work and efforts of the N’wamitwa Cultural Village and Museum.” Ramaphosa said

President Ramaphosa highlighted that Hosi N’wamitwa II’s use of the Constitutional Court to ascend chieftaincy when patriarchy attempted to deprive her birthright was another sign of triumph for women emancipation.

Ramaphosa said N’wamitwa embodied the spirit of the women of 1956 who marched to the Union Buildings, the seat of apartheid power, to assert that they will not tolerate being oppressed and marginalized.

“In 2008, when she was officially installed as the first female Hosi of the VaTsonga, history was made. When the Constitutional Court ruled that the Valoyi Traditional Authority was entitled to adapt its customary succession rule to allow a woman to become Hosi, it was a great advance for all traditional communities in South Africa and on the continent. Going to court to assert her right to chieftaincy took great courage, resilience and strength of character. She stood up to claim the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.” Ramaphosa added