“This Is Scary”: Man Flies Drone Into the Forbidden Side of Sacred Waterfall in Venda

• A drone video capturing a restricted part of a sacred Venda waterfall gained attention for its stunning visuals and controversial nature
• The site holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, with local communities performing rituals and protecting the area from unrestricted access
• While some admired the footage, others raised concerns about respecting sacred spaces, sparking a wider conversation about culture and boundaries

Some places carry more than just natural beauty, and that’s where things can get complicated. A drone footage at a sacred place in Venda sparked a conversation much bigger than what the man saw.

When @officialfadafada1 posted the video on 31 March 2026 in Phiphidi, Venda, it immediately caught attention for both its beauty and controversy. The clip showed him flying a drone into the restricted side of the sacred Phiphidi waterfall, capturing powerful visuals of rushing water and untouched scenery.

The waterfall, known for its deep spiritual meaning, is believed to be home to ancestral spirits. The site, including the pool called Guvhukuvhu, holds importance for the Ramunangi clan, who perform rituals there to honour water spirits and pray for rain and community wellbeing. Because of this, access to certain parts of the area is restricted and treated with great respect.

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Sacred site visit sparked mixed reactions

The drone moved through trees and rough terrain before revealing the full force of the waterfall. The visuals were undeniably striking, showing a side of nature that many people rarely get to see. The sound of the water and the untouched landscape added to the intensity of the moment, making it easy to understand why the clip went viral so quickly. Many were amazed by the footage, others quickly raised concerns about the cultural significance of the area.

However, the reactions were mixed on social media. While some praised the content creator @officialfadafada1 for capturing such rare footage, others felt boundaries were crossed, especially considering the sacred nature of the site.

Check out the TikTok video below:

Here’s how Mzansi reacted

Mrs Dee said:

“Am I the only one who didn’t see anything except trees and water? 🤷🏻‍♀️”

didiSpice commented:

“Why did you keep turning back at the exact spot?”

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ZawyerGuuton wrote:

“This is scary… okare they having a meeting.”

Chantal said:

“Bad energy coming from this one, I don’t know why but it feels weird, even the sound of the water is not right. 😖”

Mahlako Wom’zulu commented:

“But how come flowing water be this brown.”

Reginah Radebe wrote:

“Did I just see two people there. 😳😳”

MrsH said:

“Oh wow, my husband and I went to this waterfall while on vacation, knowing what we did there makes me ashamed. 🫣 Your videos taught me a lot about respecting such places, I didn’t know the history behind Phiphidi waterfalls.”

Lynneberry boutique commented:

“I’m from Phiphidi, knowing what I know about Guvhukuvhu waterfall I didn’t expect your drone to come back, we don’t play there, it’s a sacred place.”

Salma_ms2u wrote:

“People are saying it doesn’t feel right but my reaction was that it’s beautiful and peaceful, the sound of the water is calming, the ‘people’ are just branches. 😂”

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NDICHE said:

“This video didn’t do justice, whenever I go there I hear drums and they get stronger the deeper you go.”

3 Other Briefly News stories about Venda

• A Venda woman proudly shared how her mother treated her to multiple high-end items, including tech and fashion staples, while on a shopping trip.
• A young Venda medical graduate shared her graduation moment after completing her MBChB with nine distinctions, leaving Mzansi feeling proud.
• A man named Nicholas shared his challenging experiment while attempting to hitchhike from Venda to Kimberley to see his daughter for Christmas.

Source: Briefly News