Warrior King Makhado gets honoured

Instead of the march of the dignitaries, led by a brass band, that was originally indicated, the dignitaries drove by in their stylish vehicles led by motorcycles, while sirens sounded and lights flashed. Warriors ran along with the vehicles. The name-change launch took place on 29 September.

Warrior King Makhado gets honoured

“This town is not renamed just after another person, but it is named after a brave warrior who fought bitterly to defend his people and their land … Makhado led his people from the front and always understood the importance of remaining vigilant against enemy invasion. He was a good strategist who possessed unique qualities of leadership. Without any formal military training, he commanded his regiment wisely and carefully."

This was part of the keynote address delivered by Limpopo's premier, Cassel Mathale, during Saturday's function to introduce the new name for the town officially.

“He (Makhado) was a true organic intellectual who led his people with humility and intelligence. He was advanced in terms of thinking and planning. He had passion to forge relations with other traditional leaders, for he was interested in the unity of the indigenous people of this country. Our generation must be proud of leaders like Makhado, who knew nothing except to fight for his people. He had the ability to accommodate other people and respect their rights to practice their culture, in particular minority groups that were under his authority,” said Premier Mathale.

This last sentence was in stark contrast with what a previous speaker had said in his memorial lecture on the late warrior King Makhado. Chief Masakona reiterated more than once how Makhado “reduced the flourishing town of Schoemansdal to ashes and forced the whites to evacuate.”

Mathale said that the fact that they had respected the decision of the court which had ruled against the first resolution to rename the town from Louis Trichardt to Makhado was a living testimony to how they valued court judgments.

The Chairpersons Association, who was responsible for the appeal to get the first renaming set aside, warned before the name-change launch that the event was premature, since the CA has six months to take the second renaming to court on review. The CA described the event as a waste of taxpayers’ money.

Mathale said that the process of change was costly and no man could stand in the way of change. “The renaming of certain places, including streets, is an important programme that cannot be delayed or frustrated by financial arguments,” he said.

Even though Saturday's parade from the Makhado Municipality to the information centre started an hour late, the rest of the programme flowed smoothly. The attendance appeared a bit top heavy, with not quite so many ordinary people in attendance. Dignitaries included the newly inaugurated Vhavenda King, Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale, MECs, and the executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Tshititereke Matibe, as well as the Makhado mayor, Cllr David Muthavatsindi. Guests in the VIP tent numbered close to 200 and guests seated in the other marquee tents close to 500.

The cost of the name-change launch was estimated by some to be in the order of R250 000. The Makhado Municipality could not give a figure this week. “The cost has not yet been consolidated and some of the items were sourced through donations,” said the municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi.

DA Cllr Brian du Plooy wanted to know where the event had been budgeted for and he described it as “unbudgeted expenditure”. “How can you celebrate the name change when an appeal is hanging?” Du Plooy asked.

Premier Mathale told the Zoutpansberger that the celebration was not premature because the name change had been promulgated. “The name is Makhado. We have a democratic constitution, and therefore it is their right to apply for a review to put the name aside. But remember, we also have constitutional rights and we will appeal right up to the constitutional court,” Mathale said.

Venda girls in traditional clothes were stationed in front of the stage and paid homage to the Venda King, who was present at the Makhado Municipality’s name-change launch on 29 September at the information centre.

Seen at the name change launch event are some of the people in marquee tents, maybe not as many as expected. The distinctive outline of the beautiful Hanglip of the Soutpansberg can be seen in the background. Where the tents join is a poster of the mayor of Makhado Municpality who organised the event. In his address, he stated that his council would embark on the process of changing the names of streets and other sites.

Dignitaries on stage in a celebratory mood at the Makhado Municipality’s name-change launch on 29 September. In the middle is the newly inaugurated Vhavenda King, Vho-Toni Mphepu Ramabulana, and to his right is Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale. Left is the executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Tshititereke Matibe.

Date:05 October 2012

By: Linda van der Westhuizen

Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.

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