THOHOYANDOU – A UDM councilor in the Thulamela Municipality this week attacked the provincial government for wasting taxpayer’s money by changing the names of the province and towns “without the public’s consent”.

Cllr Emmanuel Mtileni said he regarded the changing of names as a futile exercise, as public money is involved. “We as the UDM regard this as nonsense, because there are so many challenges that this province is facing such as job creation, provision of Nevarapin to HIV positive pregnant mothers or the establishment of classrooms, ” he said.

Mtileni said the Northern Province, now Limpopo, would continue to be the poorest in the country “because Ramatlhodi and his entourage does not have a vision, as people are seen suffering day in and day out because of a lack of service delivery. Because of this non-delivery, people are blaming themselves for being in this province.”

Mtileni also urged that Ramatlhodi should provide jobs to the thousands of qualified teachers instead of using R40m in the renaming process. “In this province, thousands of qualified teachers are just roaming around the streets without jobs. Why rename the province and towns while people will continue calling these names? For instance, the Union Building was renamed Mhlamba Ndlopfu and people still call it by its old name. Pietersburg is now Polokwane, but people still say “we are going to Pietersburg, why change the name now?” asked Mtileni.