The name-change launch of the Makhado Municipality was met with “the utmost disappointment” and described as “outrageous behaviour” by the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association.

The Chairpersons Association (CA) on their part responded with letters issuing stern warnings to put the changes of the town’s name on signage, sign boards, route descriptions and letterheads on hold until the courts have given a final decision.

“The Chairpersons Association is in the process to file an application for review of the Minister’s decision in order to declare the name change void with retrospective effect. The Chairpersons Association has reason to believe that it should be successful with such a review application … Any changes will be premature and a waste of taxpayers’ money at this stage,” wrote the CA chairperson, Mr André Naudé.

The SRPA joined ranks with the CA in declaring the name-change event hosted on 29 September at the information centre as “premature”.

"The court case regarding the name change has not been finalised yet,” said the SRPA manager, Mr Phillip Olivier. The wasteful expenditure on a name-change party was also severely criticised by the SRPA.  “We feel that the monies spent on the party could have and should have been spent on  much-needed basic improvements in town, such as water problems, sewerage, incomplete road works, pavements and stop signs, not to mention that there is no money to repair or install new street lights throughout the town,” stated the SRPA.

The SRPA stated that they could not justify exorbitant amounts of taxpayers' money being spent on an extravagant party. They wanted to know exactly how much of the taxpayers' hard-earned money was spent on this venture. The spokesperson of the Makhado Municipality was asked on 2 October what the amount was but has as yet not given an exact amount.

“According to information which was brought to our attention, bus loads full of people were brought into town to attend the party,” stated the SRPA. 

At the name change event Limpopo, Premier Cassel Mathale said that “change is costly ... The renaming of certain places, including streets, is an important programme that cannot be delayed or frustrated by financial arguments." The mayor of Makhado Municipality, Cllr David Mutavhatsindi, said at the event that his council would embark on the process of changing the names of streets and other sites.

The CA sent its warning letter, dated 3 October, to the Makhado Municipality, the Road Agency Limpopo, the MEC for roads and transport, Mr Pitsi Moloto, the Limpopo Premier, Mr Cassel Mathale, the Department of Justice, the Thohoyandou and Makhado SAPS, the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce and the South African Post Office.