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News - Date: 12 September 2008
‘God did not make a mistake to give us different cultural communities. Together we can build a rich future if we respect our history and guard over our cultural heritage,” said Councillor M P Nxumalo, member of the Shangaan Royal Council.
The event was the official celebration on Saturday, August 30, by the Hlanganani Concerned Group. The celebration of the High Court of Appeal’s decision to set aside the name change of the town Louis Trichardt was held in a festively decorated Bungeni Hall. Amongst the guests of honour were senior representatives of the Chairpersons’ Association (CA), the driving force behind the court case, on behalf of all its members. Guests were entertained by a spectacular, artful display of traditional Xigubu and Xibelani dances.
Councillor Nxumalo, on behalf of the Shangani traditional leaders, expressed support for the CA and the Hlanganani Concerned Group’s valiant struggle to uphold traditional values, to protect the cultural heritage, to strive for the truth and to respect history. Referring to the continued efforts by the Makhado Municipal Council to change the name of the town Louis Trichardt, he said the name Louis Trichardt represented a significant moment in South African history, and should remain.
“With all the money that they waste on a one-sided name change effort, they can build their own new town, which they can call what they like,” said Councillor Nxumalo. He advised Makhado municipal councillors to start working for the people instead of fighting for positions and for money.
Referring to the phenomenal growth of the Hlanganani Concerned Group and its association with the CA, Councillor Nxumalo said the growth of the Hlanganani Concerned Group happened “because of the support of our Chiefs.” He said the Hlanganani Concerned Group holds hands with the CA because of the truth.
Earlier, Mr H R Khosa of the Hlanganani Concerned Group said: “We do not need wasteful and useless name changes.”
The Chairperson of the CA, Mr André Naudé, said the CA is a new-generation, non-political organization. Its main business is reconciliation, good governance and service delivery.
“We are only serving our people. We are not paid. We have no political aspirations and do not fight for positions, but only for transparency, integrity and service for our people. It is also about consultation. Because no politics or money can corrupt us, people find it difficult to criticize us. If you are against the CA, you are for corruption and for personal gain, and not for the gain of society.
“We understand the power of the synergy amongst cultural groups. We understand that the Shangani Culture is also my culture and that the culture of English- and Afrikaans-speaking people is also the culture of the Shangani people and that each is unique and very special,” Mr Naudé said.
He said knowledge of one’s history is important to preserve one’s culture. Therefore, chiefs and kings are also important factors in the preservation of national norms and discipline. If this is undermined, the scene is set for destructive forces, for drugs and unruly behaviour amongst the new generation.
Naudé said the CA insists on good governance and the best of service. He urged the audience not to keep quiet but to speak out.
“As an organization, we do not believe in taking the law into our own hands. We trust in the independence of our judiciary. We believe that one must act with respect, so that you can be respected. We believe that the synergy of all together will give the best possible results.”
Frans van der Merwe is a freelance journalist with more than 40 years experience in the newspaper industry. Apart from newspaper reporting, he was also involved with radio news, news reading, training and marketing. He has been living and working in Louis Trichardt since 1991.
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