Why not designate a park where monuments in honour of those who contributed to the development of the region can be exhibited?

The Chairpersons Association (CA) decided to request the Makhado Municipality and the Department of Arts and Culture to draw up a policy on monuments. The request is that the policy should give recognition to the contribution of all population and cultural groups towards the development of this region.

The letter will also request an investigation into the placing of the bust of Louis Trichardt in a prominent place in the town so that recognition is given to the contribution towards the development of the region by Louis Trichardt and the population group represented by him. The town was originally named in honour of the Voortrekkerleader, Louis Trichardt. His bust is at present locked away in Fort Hendrina in Erasmus Street. This fact recently elicited outcries from a tourist group who wanted to survey the statue of Louis Trichardt.

“It is of utmost importance that representatives of all the population groupings, including the Buysgroup, Shangaans, the Northern Sothos, the Indian community, the Afrikaans, English and Jewish communities must enjoy recognition of their contribution towards the development of the region so that true reconciliation on an equal basis in this region will be established,” says Mr André Naudé, chairperson of the CA.

A park could be designated for statues and busts of this nature. Such a park would serve as an extremely valuable tourist attraction. Besides promoting tourism and creating wealth, visits to such a park “will contribute towards reconciliation between communities. It will also stimulate and develop an interest among culture groups to have more understanding for the various cultures in this region. This interest will cultivate mutual respect and reconciliation,” says Naudé.