MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - Judgment was reserved in the High Court case to set aside the change of the town’s name of Louis Trichardt to Makhado.

The Pretoria High Court heard the case for two full days on August 18 and 19. Judge M K Legodi gave ample time to both counsels to state their cases. It is not known when the judge will pronounce judgement. Some anticipate the judgment to come two weeks after the court case. Others speculated that it could take even a month or longer.

The counsel for the Chairpersons Association, Denny du Preez, applied to the High Court to set aside the decision of the South African Geographical Names Council and the Minister of Arts and Culture to change the name of the town.

“If we as the applicants are successful, the name of the town will be Louis Trichardt,” the Chairperson of the CA, Mr André Naudé said on Monday. He did not comment on the case since the case is sub judice, but he did mention that “the case is very sensitive”.

Du Preez also applied to the court to review and set aside the minister’s decision to reject the objection of the CA against the name change. The CA, which represents 87 000 members, handed over its objection against the name change within the prescribed 30 days. There was a protest among residents when the name change was gazetted on June 20, 2003.

The objection was rejected in an undated letter from the Minister of Arts and Culture.

“A process of and sufficient consultation was followed before this matter,” the letter stated. The Chairpersons Association presented the statistics that only 0,4% of the residents of the Makhado Municipal area had been consulted.

The counsel for the respondents, Sam Maritz, argued that there was no law compelling the minister, the names council or the municipality to consult anyone before changing the name of a town.

On the second day of the procedures, counsel Maritz said that the name Louis Trichardt was shoved down the throats of the majority of the people.

The counsel for the Chairpersons Association said that the name Louis Trichardt was a pre-colonial name and did not replace any other name.

Whereas the High Court will consider all technicalities and legal points, what does the man in the street think? People in the streets and businesses of central town were asked on Tuesday what they thought about the name change and the court case. Out of fourteen people, chosen at random, two said that they wanted the name to be Makhado, one said it did not matter, one wanted neither Makhado nor Louis Trichardt and ten preferred Louis Trichardt.

Mr David Ramadedi (43) from Tshikota said that he wanted the name Makhado.

“They shouldn’t have done the court case, they should leave Makhado. This side is the Vhavenda place.”

Ms Francinah Manyeula (32) from Tshiozwi said that Makhado lived in the Songozwi Mountain and she preferred the town to be named Makhado.

“I want Makhado,” she said.

Mr Sarge Maharaj (42) from Eltivillas said that the change of the name is confusing and costly. He said that everyone knows that Makhado is the township behind the mountain. He said that the municipality is bankrupt and should rather use the costs of the name change to upgrade the roads.

“Louis Trichardt is a well-established and historical name,” Mr Maharaj said.

Ms Emmah Mandiwana (26) of President Street said that, when she directs people, she always says ‘Louis Trichardt’.

“Even a primary school child will tell you this is Louis Trichardt,” Emmah said. She said that a name change will confuse people who visit from other countries. She was not aware of the court case.

Mr Daniel Mulambo (36) from Tshivhuyuni also said that he had not heard about the court case.

He said that he wanted the name to stay Louis Trichardt. He complained about the cost of the name change.

“These guys are just playing with the government funds. The building of RDP houses was best.”

Mr Rollet Mulibana (40) of Sibasa said that he was aware of the court case.

“They should fight till it remains Louis Trichardt,” he said.

Ronel Crossberg (40) from Rietvlei said that it was a waste of money to change the town’s name to Makhado.

“Money could rather go to hungry people and orphans. I think the court case is also a waste of money,” she said.

Cecilia Raphael (32) from Buysdorp said it did not really bother her whether the name changed or not.

Samson Nekhubvi (38) of Dzanani said that the name change of Louis Trichardt to Makhado was very confusing. Makhado Township was changed to Dzanani and Louis Trichardt to Makhado. He said that, in the taxis, they never know what you mean if you say Makhado.

“I wish I could help the people with the court case, but I don’t have anything. But I am supporting them morally,” Mr Nekhubvi said.

Mr Lourens Jackson (28) from Burger Street said that the name change as a whole is a waste of money.

“The town has a lot of history and was established by Louis Trichardt. It must remain Louis Trichardt,” Mr Jackson said.

Mr Elvis Mathamvho (38) from Elim said “I need the name Louis Trichardt, because it is the old name.”

Ms Hannelie van Breda (36) from Burger Street said that the spending of money for a name change is unnecessary and that the town should remain Louis Trichardt.

Ms Selina Mavhungu (59) from Thsiozwi said that the name of the town should be neither Louis Trichardt nor Makhado.

“It should be Tshitandani, as it has been known for a long time.”

Ms Mukhali Sikhwari (41) from Madombidzha said: “I don’t see anything wrong with Louis Trichardt. There is a Makhado in Nzhelele. Let the town remain Louis Trichardt.”