“If you want to dance, we will dance - if you want to fight, we will fight,” was the message from AfriForum to the Makhado Municipality at an introductory meeting that an AfriForum delegation had with Mayor David Mutavhatsindi.

Mutavhatsindi was introduced to Mr Wally Schultz, chairperson of the newly established local branch of AfriForum, and renewed his acquaintance with Mr Lampie Schoeman (additional member of the AfriForum EXCO). The meeting on 2 August took place in a jovial spirit, but with the serious undertone of AfriForum’s threatening court interdict against the municipality. 

Schultz said that his greatgrandfather was Andries Hendrik Potgieter and that he was passionate about his town. Schoeman emphasised that AfriForum members wanted to bring about positive change in town by acting pro-actively and, for example, needed the Mayor’s blessing in taking on the Bird Park and the Tree Park as community projects. In the same breath, they warned that AfriForum is known for acting legally, acting roughly and getting results.

“There is no way we can grow this town if we don’t work together. I am more than happy to work with those who work toward the building of this town. It is part of my dream to come and stay here,” Mutavhatsindi said. 

On a more serious note, AfriForum expressed their dismay with the many unfinished municipal projects in town.  “A visible start must be made with the abandoned projects, such as the streets. Don’t we teach our children not to leave their jobs half done?” Schultz asked. He also referred to the accident on the corner of Breda and Munnik Street, where Ms Esther Nel sustained serious injuries. The accident occurred mainly because the street was left unmarked. The mayor took note and said that in Tshikota he had literally painted streets himself.

As for AfriForum’s looming legal action against the municipality regarding the town’s water crisis, Mutavhatsindi said that he had not yet read the letter from AfriForum’s attorneys but glanced through it. The letter, among others, state that the municipality has failed manifestly in achieving the basic legal requirements in respect of water supply.

“We hereby request the municipality to furnish us, in writing, with sustainable and feasible solutions to rectify the water crisis,” the letter states. The due date for the municipality’s reply was 3 August.

The AfriForum lawyers met on 7 August on the content of the answer and said that it was not acceptable. They are still awaiting the answer of the Vhembe District Municipality, which has until 9 August to respond. After that date, the lawyers will announce their way forward and the reasons for their actions.

At this stage, it would seem that the dance between AfriForum and the municipality is still on, but on the legal front the fight may soon commence.