MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – The local Chairman's Association, the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce and the Hlanganani Concerned Citizens Group this week issued a joint statement in which they vow to fight the minister's decision to change the name of Louis Trichardt to that of Makhado.

"The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, obviously chose to ignore the 7 000 signatures sent to him to consider the changing of the name, as well as the proof given that only ten of the 35 wards in the municipal area voted for the name Makhado. The residents of Ward 1, who are the traditional inhabitants of the town and who actually live in town, have been consistently and pointedly ignored in the entire consultation process – their opinion was not taken into consideration at all," the statement reads.

Apart from the above, the statement also elaborated on the National Chairperson of the South African Geographical Names Council, Adv Tommy Ntsewa's remark that Makhado was not a name but an institution. In reaction to this, Mr JJ Gohell of the Hlanganani Concerned Citizens Group and member of the Chairpersons Association, responded by saying: "We have consulted our legal advisors and are lodging objections and are ready to fight in the Supreme and Constitutional Courts." Mr Gohell also commented that the Shangaan people feel that they have been denied their democratic rights, as the Venda-dominated town Council deliberately marginalized them. He said that they are angered and totally oppose Council's strategies and non-consultative ways.

In the statement, the Chairman of the Chairman's Association, Mr André Naudé, also objected to the name change.

"Contrary to Adv Ntsewa's and the municipality's belief, there is a 30 day period, after a matter has been publicized in the Government Gazette, during which time people can object. The fact is what we are going to do. The legal process to stop this is rolling," Mr Naudé commented.

The Chairperson of the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Jana Smith, on her part stated that she cannot understand why Council and the SA Geographical Names Council still choose to ignore them.

"We have had many meetings, initiated by us, done many representations, collected many signatures and even walked in the streets against the name change," Mrs Smith said. The mass demonstration that was held in town was attended by residents, the Chamber of Commerce and the Hlaganani Group, to demonstrate how the people of the area are united in their dismay over the controversial name change issue. Close to a thousand people joined the march.