Limpopo, MAKHADO, Albasini Memorial

18 January 2012 2 images

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Cemetery information:- João Albasini (1813–1888). Albasini was born to an Italian family, but according to tradition born in Portugal on a ship leaving for Africa – hence the Portuguese form of his first name. A passionate tradesman and big game hunter, Albasini came to Lourenço Marques in 1831. He revolutionised trade in the Lowveld more than a decade before the first settlers from European descent arrived there. Albasini set up trade routes and infrastructure that reached from the port at Lourenço Marques far into the mainland. In 1858 Albasini was appointed Vice Consul of Portugal in South Africa and was married to Gertina Maria Petronella, daughter of “Trekker” Janse van Rensburg. Albasini later settled at Schoemansdal. He died in 1888 and was buried on Goedgewensch farm, near where the Albasini dam was built. João Albasini was the paternal great-grandfather of the prominent artist, the late Selma Albasini. Albasini died in 1888 and was buried by the Tsonga people in accordance with Tsonga burial rituals. The Tsonga people were deeply hurt and saddened by the death of their beloved chief. The village of Valdezia, situated 3 km from the Albasini Dam, is a village where João Albasini ruled supreme as chief of the Tsonga people. Every year, hundreds of Tsonga people gather around the grave of João Albasini and perform Tsonga rituals in honour of their tribal leader. The grave of Albasini is regarded as a sacred site by the Tsonga people of Valdezia Village and the Tsonga neighbouring villages. (source: Wikipedia) Album complete. eGGSA captions by: Alex van Niekerk The GGSA Cemetery DVD only has information on the location of the cemetery Cemetery ID: 4342 Google Earth Project Information:- GPSID: 5152 GPS: -23 02.580, 29 54.977