The notorious painting of the statue might have had some positive outcomes after all.

The statue of King Tshilwavhusiku Ramabulana Makhado was painted in the colours of the former South African flag less than a week after its unveiling on September 8. This incidence gave rise to an outcry of protest among community members.

Following the painting of the statue, the Makhado Concerned group was formed to address this matters and they joined with members of the Royal Council to form the Makhado Consultative Forum. This forum decided to hold a meeting on “racism and other related activities”. The forum invited political and non-political organizations to a meeting that was held at the Showground Hall on October 6.

Examples of racism from both sides were quoted by the Makhado Consultative Forum. The forum said that the painting of the statue raised the emotions of the black people and apparently Cosatu considered a boycott. The forum also said that the killing of people on farms, like the Hayward couple, raised anger and tension on the white side.

Reverend KZ Mukwhevho, facilitating chairperson of the Makhado Consultative Forum, said that, although the painting of the statue was “quite ugly, it somehow opened a debate and we can sit down and talk about our feelings and other issues.”

The meeting was attended by three representatives of the Makhado Consultative Forum, two representatives of the Royal Council, one of Cosatu, and five of the Chairpersons Association, which represents various organizations. These representatives expressed their views on several burning matters, such as, amongst others, the removal of cultural symbols, land reform and mutual cultural respect. It was, however, decided that the way forward was to plan for a well- structured meeting where two or three critical matters will be put on the agenda and the agenda will be made available beforehand to all relevant stakeholders.