Lake Fundudzi captivates with its mysterious charm, steeped in legends, rituals, and a mystical story that circulates online.
Nestled in the heart of Limpopo province in South Africa is Lake Fundudzi, a body of water that is both enigmatic and beautiful. Surrounded by the lush mountainous terrain of the Soutpansberg Mountains, it is one of the few true inland lakes in South Africa, formed by a landslide that occurred in the region long ago.
Lake Fundudzi is bordered by the Thathe Vondo Forest, which is believed to be filled with spirits, and the local Venda people refrain from entering it due to fears of being haunted and the thunderbird Ndadzi. According to local legend, the landslide that created this lake is said to have been caused by a curse on a kraal (a local village) that refused to welcome a leper. As a consequence, the waters engulfed the kraal, and it is believed that one can still hear the cries of the drowned and livestock from this village on occasion. Furthermore, Lake Fundudzi is said to be guarded by a serpent god that resides in the surrounding hills. Its mood is reflected in the water level and color, rising and falling independently of rainfall.
Located from afar in the Venda region of Limpopo province, at the foot of the Soutspansberg Mountains, the sacred Lake Fundudzi is one of the few true inland lakes in South Africa. With an area of approximately 140 hectares and estimated to be at least 10,000 years old, Fundudzi is fed by the Godoni and Mutale rivers.
Lake Fundudzi also perplexes scientists with its seemingly inexplicable behavior – nearly a hundred streams and three rivers flow into this lake, adding millions of liters of water every hour. However, Lake Fundudzi has no clear drainage outlet, and the water level in the lake appears to remain constant. So where does all that water go? Additionally, according to some sources, the water level actually seems to rise and fall independently of rainfall, resembling tidal movements, even though the lake is not connected to the ocean.
A modern legend found online tells of a Professor Henry Burnside and his assistant who sampled water from the lake in 1955 in search of answers to these questions. According to this unverified story, the water disappeared from the lake overnight, and after Burnside sampled the water by dipping his finger in it and tasting it, he passed away a week later.
Adjacent to Lake Fundudzi is the sacred Thathe Vondo Forest, where Venda kings have been buried for generations. Traditionally, the Venda people are buried at home. However, after ten to fifteen years, their remains are exhumed by family members and taken to the “Sacred Forest.”
This modern legend also offers a so-called “scientific” explanation: that the series of events is due to high chromium concentrations in the water from previous mining activities. According to this “explanation,” at temperatures below 19 degrees Celsius, chromium particles in the water crystallize, causing the lake’s water to disappear and leading to Burnside’s death.
However, in reality, there is no evidence that the lake has high chromium content or that chromium has ever been mined in the area. Even if it did, high concentrations of soluble chromium in water would not cause the water to disappear. While chromium can crystallize under specific conditions, it certainly would not crystallize all the water in the lake overnight.
Furthermore, even if Lake Fundudzi were unsafe to drink due to high chromium levels, there would be no immediate fatality from a single sip. Chromium poisoning has symptoms that develop over time.
Additionally, Lake Fundudzi was recognized as a National Heritage Site in 2013, according to Beautiful News, and is protected by the local community, who safeguard the lake from human encroachment and maintain its natural state. You would need to seek permission from the head of one of the nearby villages if you wish to venture close to the water’s edge.
The fractures in Lake Fundudzi may act like giant drainage outlets.
Thus, it can be assured that the lake’s water did not vanish due to high chromium content and did not kill Professor Burnside, if anything did. Instead, the answer to this apparent paradox may lie underground. According to a paper by Sibonakaliso Chiliza presented at the World Landslide Forum, the quartz sandstone of the Soutpansberg group, where the lake is located, “is severely fractured due to faults of varying ages”, also played a role in the landslide that created the lake.
Now, these fractures might act like giant drainage outlets. If a fault creates a passage with enough space and a downward angle, water could flow through the cracks and into deeper rock layers. This could significantly reduce the amount of surface water, making it seem as if it has vanished.
Therefore, our best prediction is that these very fractures caused the water of Lake Fundudzi to “disappear.”
If you decide to see this “mysterious” lake for yourself, note that you should explore Lake Fundudzi with a knowledgeable local guide. They can provide invaluable insights into the culture of the Venda people, enriching your experience with traditional stories that bring the lake’s legends to life. Additionally, they will ensure your safety not only from the dangers mentioned in the legends but also from the sizeable crocodile population that inhabits the area.
