Chief Frank Ndwakhulu Ravele (1926–1999) was the second president of the bantustan of Venda, which was granted nominal independence from South Africa on 13 September 1979.[1]
Ravele became president on 17 April 1988, after the death of Chief Patrick Mphephu, the first president of Venda;[2] he served in acting capacity until 10 May. Previously, Ravele served in the cabinet as finance minister. When violent strikes and riots broke out in early 1990, he was overthrown on 5 April in a bloodless coup by General Gabriel Ramushwana, then chief of staff of the Venda Defence Force.[3]