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Pollen spectra in a peat deposit from a mountainous area near Tate Vondo in Venda have been grouped into three zones. The oldest zone of c. 12,000-10,000 yr B.P. contains mainly grassland and fynbos elements, as well as forest pollen consisting mainly of Podocarpus. These spectra suggest that the vegetation on slopes was open, but that forests were well developed in mountain ravines. This scenery is suggestive or relatively cool, sub-humid conditions. The second zone, which dates between c. 10,000 and 6500 yr B.P., contains increased savanna elements and local Psoralea pollen, while forest and fynbos pollen types are reduced. The pollen spectra in this zone are suggestive of gradually increasing temperatures and dryness. On the basis of prominent warm savanna and reduced fynbos pollen a temperature optimum is indicated at the boundary between this and next pollen zone, representing the last c. 6500 years. More swamp and mesic woodland elements in this youngest zone are suggestive of relatively moist conditions. The upper part of the zone, which represents the last c. 1500 years, shows a sharp decline in tree pollen which may be attributable to burning and clearing of woody vegetation by Iron Age people moving into the area. The general palaeoenvironmental changes indicated by the Tate Vondo pollen sequence is consistent with pollen evidence found along a transect from north to south through the Transvaal, suggesting that these changes were of regional significance for the province.