LOUIS TRICHARDT – Following several technical setbacks earlier this year, Council is again pushing forward in its efforts to change the name of Louis Trichardt to that of Makhado.

In April this year, Council's effort to have the town's name changed was referred back by the South African National Geographical Names Council, due to the fact that there was already a town with the name of Makhado. Council then set about trying to change the name of the existing town of Makhado to that of Dzanani, after receiving two letters from the Mphephu Tribal Council stating that they wanted the name to change.

Council's efforts, however, once again proofed fruitless as the South African Geographical Names Council again referred the request back. Again this was due to the fact that a town with the name of Dzanani, proclaimed in 1965, was also already in existence.

During Council's monthly meeting on Tuesday (29th), Council adopted a resolution whereby it is given the go-ahead to embark on yet another name changing expedition, namely to change the name of the existing town of Dzanani to either that of Mphephu or Migavhini. Should they succeed, Council will then be able to change the name of Makhado Town to that of Dzanani and in turn change the name of Louis Trichardt to that of Makhado. If Council succeeds, it will be living up to its resolution taken in February this year to have the name of Louis Trichardt amended.

Apart from the renaming of the town of Dzanani, the resolution adopted on Tuesday also makes provision for the renaming of other structures and institutions within the Makhado Municipal area. Among these structures and institutions earmarked for renaming are the Schoemansdal Museum, the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital, the Hendrik Verwoerd Tunnel, the Albasini Dam, Airforce Base Louis Trichardt, Voortrekker Square, the show ground hall, the Lapa Social Club hall, the caravan park and the Louis Trichardt Civic Centre.

The resolution goes on to say that the relevant Portfolio Committee must continuously and regularly identify structures and institutions in the jurisdiction of the municipality that must undergo a name change and submit proposals to Council.

In reaction to the adoption of Tuesday's resolution, Cllr Marie Helm from the Democratic Alliance noted her objection against its approval, stating that there was no consultation with the residents of Dzanani in this regard. Her objection is similar to that of the residents of Louis Trichardt who argue that they were also not consulted when Council decided to change the name of Louis Trichardt. To date, however, Council still adamantly argues that the whole process was done according to procedure and at present Louis Trichardt finds itself isolated in a sea of name changes in the province.

In the meantime, resistance to Council's proposed name change is also mounting in rural areas. Earlier last month the Hlanganani Concerned Group in Hlanganani held a mass meeting. The group stated that apart from the Venda people, no other communities where consulted when Council decided to change the name of Louis Trichardt to Makhado and referred to the process as "apartheid in disguise". They added that the town is a cosmopolitan area, which apart from the Venda people, also consists of Northern Sothos, Shangaans, Indians and Whites. Since the group's establishment last year, several letters were directed to the Premier's Office, the Makhado Municipality, the Vhembe District Council and the MEC for Local Government, but to no avail.

"We are not fighting with anyone or any other ethnic group. All we ask as a group is that correct and appropriate procedures be followed in naming the town. Secondly, the name 'Makhado' is tribalistic since it is a name based on a certain ethnic group and that is the Venda people," said Mr Jeremiah Gohell, secretary of the group.