Residents of a rural community in Beitbridge East are calling on authorities to standardise the spelling of their area’s name, saying decades of inconsistent naming have eroded the community’s cultural identity and historical heritage.
The confusion is evident across public institutions. The business centre is signposted as Tshitulipasi while the local primary and secondary schools use Cituripasi. The clinic and police station on the other hand are officially known as Chitulipasi.
Community members say the three spellings refer to the same place but reflect different historical influences.
Headmaster of Cituripasi secondary school, Simiso Ndlovu said local understanding points to Tshitulipasi as the original and culturally correct spelling.
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“From what I have learnt from community elders over the years, Tshitulipasi is the traditional Venda name that has always been associated with this area. It is important that our local history and language are preserved accurately although any decision on official naming rests with the relevant government authorities,” said Ndlovu.
He explained that the Venda word refers to a strong underground vessel used for pounding or grinding grain with a pestle, a name deeply rooted in the community’s cultural heritage.
Village elder Soul Ndou said the different spellings tell the story of how indigenous names were gradually altered over time.
“Tshitulipasi is the name our forefathers gave this place long before colonial administration arrived. It has meaning in our language and reflects our way of life. When names are changed or misspelt, part of our history is also changed,” he said.
Ndou said Cituripasi emerged during the colonial era when white settlers and administrators struggled to pronounce or record the original Venda name, resulting in an adapted spelling that eventually appeared on official records.
“Later, Chitulipasi became the version used on some government documents because it resembles a Karanga pronunciation. Today we have three different spellings for one community, creating confusion for residents and visitors alike,” he said.
He urged government departments responsible for place names to consult local communities before recording or changing indigenous names.
“Every community has its own language, identity and history. Those names should be respected and correctly documented. Restoring the original spelling would help preserve our heritage for future generations,” Ndou said.
Residents believe adopting a single official spelling, Tshitulipasi would not only eliminate administrative confusion but also honour the area’s Venda cultural heritage.
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