The rainbow consists of different colours and if any colour is marginalised or destroyed, the quality of the rainbow will be destroyed, resulting in no rain and no wealth.

"We are keenly aware of the fact that Robert Mugabe has attempted to destroy one of the colours of the rainbow, namely the farming sector, with the result that Zimbabwe is falling to pieces seven years later," said Mr André Naudé when delivering the chairpersons report at the AGM of the Chairpersons Association on August 2.

"We believe in the principle of unity through diversity. We firmly believe that good governance and transparency are the basis for true and free conciliation amongst all cultural groups, where each colour of the rainbow will be recognized in order to form the rainbow which will be a symbol of rain and wealth," said Naudé. At the meeting, hosted at the Bergwater Hotel, chairpersons and members of about 46 associations heard a summary of the successes and actions of the CA for 2006/7.

Property Rates Act

The Chairpersons Association played an influential role in respect of the consultation process with regard to the implementation of the Local Government Municipal Properties Rates Act nr 6 of 2004 in order to make amendments to the proposed ordinance. In this regard, the CA combined strength with many important stakeholders, including the Transvaal Agricultural Union and the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association.

Name Change Case elicited international response

The CA achieved "a national footprint through the name change case and is well known nationally as well as in certain countries internationally," the report stated. The CA won the appeal court case when the court ruled that the name change of the town from Louis Trichardt to Makhado be set aside. Letters of congratulations came from the USA, Australia, Austria and Germany. The Italian press reported on the result of the case. The Swedish Government took serious note of the case, which is of international importance, because international law as well as South African law was considered by the judges.

Interactions with municipality produce mixed results

The CA interacted with the municipality with respect to certain matters, including transparency, the free flow of accurate information, response to letters by the public, moving Sunday meetings, the accountability of councillors, directors of the municipality becoming members of the institute of Directors of SA, proper service rendering, and combined efforts against crime and pollution.

"However, to our disappointment, most of these things were only talked about and not implemented. It seems as if the municipality is busy with window-dressing and does not have the will to involve themselves dynamically in actions," Naudé said. "We can, however, report back that anti-pollution signboards have been put up at the entrances to the town."

Gyrocopter against crime

Investigations to obtain and fund a gyrocopter or the like in the fight against crime are underway.

Expand influence

The CA wants to expand its influence and power base in order to be successful in creating a regional as well as a national climate of good governance and service delivery, based on reconciliation and transparency. A new management committee was elected for the year 2007/8.