LOUIS TRICHARDT - The mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Councillor Brighton Tlakula announced this week that the name of the town Louis Trichardt will have to be changed "before February."

This surprise announcement came at the beginning of the first monthly meeting of the Makhado Municipal Council on Tuesday, January 29th. It follows the MEC for Local Government and Housing, Mr Joe Maswanganyi's announcement on Monday that it has become time to create a new political dispensation in the province. He added that the current street and town names in the province only reflect the tragic past with its political oppression. According to Maswanganyi, the current names are out of step with the present political scenario. The towns' names in question are Louis Trichardt, Pietersburg, Potgietersrus, Tzaneen, Naboomspruit, Duiwelskloof, Nylstroom, Warmbad, Ellisras, Bochum, Dendron, Hoedspruit, Messina and Soekmekaar. Shortly after Maswanganyi's announcement, he instructed that municipalities should conduct public hearings to allow the public to come up with appropriate new names. This process should be finalised by the end of February.

During Tuesday's council meeting, the mayor said he has instructed his secretary to co-ordinate the whole process of changing the name of the town "so as to make sure that the town gets its proper name before February this year."

Under the item Official Announcements, Councillor Tlakula said it was important that the process of changing the name should be driven by the people.

"I will take this opportunity to inform you that the name of the town is to be amended very soon. This town has to be renamed as the present name is still associated with the apartheid system," Cllr Tlakula said. He also urged all councillors and officials to make sure that this process is driven by the people.

Government's announcement regarding the changing of the town names, sparked a furore amongst opposition political parties in the province.

Political observers were quick to point out that the hurried name changes follow indications of severe tension amongst different ANC factions in the province. They said the ANC government in the province is taking advantage of this emotive issue to try and enhance its image amongst its electorate. In the process, however, it is causing grave damage to the process of national reconciliation, by further alienating non-black citizens.

In reaction to the announcement the Democratic Alliance's provincial leader, Mr Michael Holford said that the manner in which the MEC decrees that all names of towns in the province will be changed, is received with shock and dismay.

He said that this level of autocracy has last been seen in the "dark days" of our country's history.

Holford further added that the DA is astonished to see that the MEC refuses to take responsibility for many issues at local government level, yet is fearless in the issuing of wide sweeping orders from the top that "all names of towns will change forthwith." The latest action by the MEC, Holford said, is proof that the ANC has finally lost contact with the people on the ground. He said that the DA would like to remind the MEC that true transformation comes from the hearts of the people and not in the form of a decree. Once again, he said, this ill-considered action will cost the taxpayer dearly.

The NNP also expressed their concern regarding the changing of towns' names. According to provincial leader, Mr Schalk van Schalkwyk, the announcement by Mr Maswanganyi contributes nothing to the sound governance, reconciliation and the prosperity of the people in the province. He, however, added that although the NNP is not completely against the issue of the changing of names, the process has to meet with specific criteria. This include that the process should contribute to reconciliation within the province. Furthermore, names should not be branded as "inappropriate" before there is confirmation that this in fact is the case. Other criteria include that all stakeholders should have the opportunity to take part in the process. Thought should also be given to the potential cost implications of such an exercise.

The Freedom Front also reacted vehemently and warned of the very real possibility of resistance. According to Freedom Front leader, Mr Johan Willemse the party is of opinion that the ANC's decision demonstrates its absolute ignorance regarding the dynamics of international economics. He said that steps have already been taken to withhold tax money by depositing it into a trust account. Special meetings will also be held across the province to inform residents about the issue