MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – "The Hlanganani Concerned Citizens Group, which represents most of the peace-loving people across cultural, racial and tribalist lines within the boundaries of our town Louis Trichardt, feel betrayed and marginalized by the tribalist Municipal Council and their biased Adv Ntsewa."

In essence, this was the message contained in the Hlanganani Concerned Citizens Group's objection sent to the office of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, protesting against the recent announcement by Adv Tommy Ntsewa, National Chairperson of the South African Geographical Names Council, that the name of Louis Trichardt has changed to that of Makhado. The group's secretary, Mr JJ Gohell, confirmed on Tuesday that their objection had been received by the minister's office. Not counting Saturdays and Sundays, objections must be in by July 18, thirty days after the name change was gazetted on June 6.

In their objection, the group stated that they are "very bitter and annoyed by the irresponsible action of Adv Ntsewa and his gang, who deliberately submitted incorrect and false information to the Minister, which led to his approving and gazetting the name Makhado on June 6". They added that they view this "unilateral decision as dictatorial by the Municipality and reckless political interference in the democratic rights of the majority of our communities at Louis Trichardt, which need and deserve to be challenged by peaceful means at all costs."

They warned the municipal Council that they cannot claim victory yet and that they should not jump the gun by celebrating the "name change" with a braai on June 27 as planned.

"We will advise our people to go and eat the meat and thereafter oppose the name Makhado vehemently in court, with their stomachs full," they said. They also stated that they would take the matter to the Supreme Court, or ultimately to the Constitutional Court and that they would definitely not discuss the matter further with the office of Adv Ntsewa.

"In court we will be able to prove the distortion of facts and dictatorship of this Council, and the biasness of Adv Ntsewa," the group stated. They added that they are now even more determined to "fight and expose the Makhado Municipality for what they are - tribalists who do not respect the democratic right of the majority."