In October 2014, the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa ordered that the town of Louis Trichardt is to be “officially” known as Louis Trichardt and not as Makhado.

This follows a settlement agreement signed between the Chairpersons’ Association and the Minister of Arts and Culture, in terms whereof the Minister conceded that his decision to approve the name change from Louis Trichardt to Makhado be set aside. This was obviously because the decision to change the name in the first place was flawed as proper procedures were not followed.
The said settlement agreement was made an order of the court, meaning that as from the date of the order, the town is to be known as Louis Trichardt and not as Makhado. The decision of the court, until such time when it has been overruled by a court of a higher status, is binding and has to be complied with, whether we like it or not.

To my dismay, there are people out there who still refer to the town as Makhado while they are fully aware that a court of law has ordered that the town is to be known as Louis Trichardt. Among these people are politicians who boldly refer to the town as Makhado in complete defiance of the court order.

I also listen to Phalaphala FM and there are those people who report on the nature of traffic on the roads within the Vhembe district. These reporters always refer to the town of Makhado. I am not sure if they are simply ignorant of the court order or if they intentionally refrain from calling the town by its proper name, which is Louis Trichardt. Whatever their reason, it is wrong for them to do that. I have at one stage sent an e-mail to Phalaphala FM wherein I have raised these concerns. I acknowledge, however, that some of the presenters of this radio station do the right thing and call our town by its real name always.

It is very disturbing when people simply disobey a court order, particularly when those people are public figures like politicians who have to lead by example. I believe that these people know that their conduct is contemptuous of the court and therefore it is wrongful and unlawful.
My plea is that these people should refrain from referring to our town as Makhado and called it by its official name, Louis Trichardt. Maybe use Tshitandani, which is neutral and a very old name used to unofficially call our beautiful town. Maybe the powers that be at our radio stations should also call these people to order when “they break the law” on air.

- Concerned reader from Louis Trichardt.