Zebediela

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

Zebediela
Zebediela Show map of Limpopo Zebediela Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 24.310°S 29.270°E / -24.310; 29.270
Country	South Africa
Province	Limpopo
District	Capricorn
Municipality	Lepelle-Nkumpi
Area [1]
• Total	59.62 km2 (23.02 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	863
• Density	14/km2 (37/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	86.7%
• Coloured	0.2%
• Indian/Asian	0.1%
• White	10.4%
• Other	2.6%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Northern Sotho	51.9%
• Afrikaans	9.3%
• Tsonga	5.4%
• English	4.9%
• Other	28.5%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Area code	015

The proper name of the place is Sibitiela, the name of former (now late) Ndebele chief of the area. However, the fame of the citrus farm led to the use of Zebediela instead.[3]

All the villages (Moletlane, Mogoto, Mathibela, Rakgwatha, Matome, Makushwaneng, Madisha Leolo, Motserereng, Madisha Ditoro, Magatle, Mapatjakeng, Makweng, Ntamatise, Rafiri, Molapo, Makgophong, Drogte, Volop, Bolahlakgomo, Dicheung, Beldrif, Malatane, 7 stard and many more) under Zebediela have their own chiefs (indunas), and those chiefs fall under the late King Sello Kekana III (the royal leader of Zebediela). 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 and the rest supplied to local markets.[4]

The dominating language in the area is Northern Sotho, and there are smaller portions of people speaking Afrikaans, Venda and Tsonga.

Local tourist attractions include the Leshoka Thabang Game Reserve (next to Ga-Rafiri) and Zebediela Country Club in Farm Kleinwonder.[5]

Notable natives of Zebediela include singers and songwriters Umanji and Steve Kekana, and singer/rapper Senyaka. Known football players Alex Bapela, Hlompho Kekana, Paseka Mako, Surprise Moriri and Motjeka Madisha are from ZB as it is colloquially called. Christian minister Lethebo Rabalago, academics Prof. Ramaranka Mogotlane and Dr Edith Kekana-Phaswana, businesswoman Florence Nkuna-Mabobo and Seponono Kekana also hail from Zebediela.