By Paul Nyathi| Opposition MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa was on Saturday accorded the traditional “Freedom Of The City” of Beitbridge in a truly Venda custom.

On arrival at the packed Dulibadzimu Stadium for his MDC Alliance coalition rally, Chamisa got the shock of his life when ten Venda culturally dressed elderly women swiftly moved and slept silently in front of his feet with their heads down. (See picture)

The traditional act which some critics have described as bootlicking is actually a noble Venda way of receiving and greeting a special visitor to grant them freedom of the home they are visiting.

South Africa’s Jacob Zuma has had the same treatment done for him. The practice is also seen even in Shona cultures although at different times such as paying lobola.

The women lie down motionless with open hands to receive what the visitor may have brought for the family. When the visitor had deposited what he may have brought only then do they stand up and celebrate the visitor’s arrival and declare them as part of the family they are visiting.

Chamisa with the help of some of the elders from Beitbridge gave the women cash in their hands before they stood up ullulating to grant him the freedom of the town he was visiting.

“What the women did is a perfect Venda culture which showed that Chamisa was accepted in the community,” said a Venda elder Martin Mudau who spoke to ZimEye.com after the rally.

Asked if they have done the same act to other previous political leaders who have visited the town before, Mudau said he has not seen it in a long time as some of the leaders are over protected by their security personnel.

“Even if our women may have wanted to do the same with other political leaders its difficult because they are not accessible due to heavy security,” he said.