MAKHADO – “It seems as if the unveiling of the statue of King Tshilwavhusiku Ramabulana Makhado fuelled anger amongst certain residents, who still believe in something which is already dead.” These were the emotional words from the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr RS Nkuzana, on Wednesday, condemning the painting of King Makhado’s statue.

The statue, situated at the Soutpansberg Tourism Information Centre, was painted in the colours of the former South African flag on Tuesday night. The head was painted orange, the torso white and the legs blue. Mirror learnt that a spotlight next to the monument was smashed in order to gain easy entrance at the palisade fencing, and a padlock was also damaged.

The distressed mayor said the role and contribution of King Makhado is not written on the statue, “but in our souls, brains and hearts, so nobody will erase or destroy the history of the Lion of the North through spraypaint or any other equipment.”

The mayor said that the act itself was an indication that there are still elements within the community who are rejecting change and transformation. “This is a clear provocation and insult, not only to Makhado Municipality, but to the entire nation as a whole. The barbaric act will not in any way divert our intention of totally and fundamentally transforming this municipality,” he said.

Nkuzana further added that the ugly incident should not be viewed as a black and white issue, because they have received messages of support and calls from all members of the community, especially farmers. “We are glad to inform our communities that a group of white people have volunteered to clean the statue at their own cost. This means that people must not view it as a white against black affair,” he said.

Nkuzana said that an urgent meeting with the owner of the Security Company is going to be held with a view to ensuring maximum security at the site of the statue. The mayor said that provoked as they are, they are convinced that the police will succeed in apprehending the suspects, but further urged community members with information to leak it to the police.

Mr Mbangiseni Masia, spokesperson of the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Joe Maswanganyi, said that the painting of the statue is an act of hooliganism that should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. He said that his department was disturbed to realise that section of the population still insists that the old order should prevail. Masia said that the act of painting the statue represents failure to acknowledge and appreciate the transformation process that is unfolding. “We remain unfazed by an act of resistance on our road to a normal society that speaks of peace and pride in the heritage of our people. We are quite aware that an act like this has the potential to cause divisions within immediate communities of Makhado. We call upon people to rise above temptations to be plunged into war and the Makhado municipality must work closely with people to ensure that peace and stability prevail,” he said.

MPL Maxwell Nemadzivhanani said that the ANC and residents of Makhado said that the insensivity concerning sacrifices made by King Tshilwavhusiku Ramabulana Makhado in pushing the settler colonialism back from the Venda Kingdom by whosoever was responsible for the ugly conduct will not succeed in promoting racial disharmony or taking back society to the pre-apartheid era. Nemadzivhanani called upon law enforcement to spare no efforts in tracking and arresting the culprits. “We are extending our sympathy and solidarity to his majesty Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana and the entire royal family,” said Nemadzivhanani.

The manager of Zoutpansberg Tourism Information Centre, Morris Mabada, said the painting of the statue was also an insult to the tourism industry. The statue was unveiled last Thursday by Premier Sello Moloto as part of the heritage month celebrations in the Province. Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabula also strongly condemned the uncivilised act to the statue of his grandfather.

The Chairman of the local Chairperson’s Association, Mr André Naudé, also stated that they condemn the incident. “It is the Chairperson’s Association’s view that all cultural groups’ leaders, both current and historical, should be respected. We stand for the rule of law, good governance, transparency and integrity,” said Naudé.