Name game takes on new rush

2002-11-05 12:11

Retha Fourie

Louis Trichardt - African National Congress councillors' latest attempts to change this town's name to Makhado have set off a chain reaction of name changes in Limpopo province.

The first two attempts to rename Louis Trichardt were refused by the SA Place Names Council because there already is a Makhado in the area.

Authorities from Louis Trichardt, on one side of the Soutpansberg, went to visit the residents of Makhado, on the other side of the mountain, and persuaded them to change the name of their town.

Their choice was Dzanani, and this was submitted to the Place Names Council. But, the council pointed out there was already a Dzanani in the same province, and it had carried this name since 1965.

The next step was to persuade the residents of Dzanani, a village in Venda, to change their name.

Three possibilities were suggested to them and the Place Names Council is now considering two options: Mphephu or Migavhini.

Not discussed democratically

If that change is approved, Makhado on the one side of the mountain will become Dzanani, so that Louis Trichardt on the other side of the mountain can become Makhado.

Next on the list of proposed name changes are believed to be the Schoemansdal Museum, the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital, the Hendrik Verwoerd Tunnel, the Albasini Dam, the Louis Trichardt airforce base, Voortrekker Square, the civic centre, a hall at the showgrounds, the hall at the Lapa social club and the caravan park.

Democratic Alliance councillor Marie Helm said the proposed changes had not been democratically discussed.

An attempt to change the name of Tzaneen on the instructions of the provincial legislature was dropped when the Place Names Council said the name the council chose - Mark Shope - was not acceptable.

The council, supported by the community, then voted to retain Tzaneen.

- Beeld