With reference to the notices from Govan Mbeki Municipality that they consider geographical name changes, a Bethal council board member informed me that this includes changing the name of Bethal to eMzinoni or any other black pioneer’s name.
Considering the extremely poor unacceptable service delivery by the municipality that is referred to in your every edition of your newspaper, it is unconceivable how the municipality can afford the salaries, time and all the other associated costs for the state, provincial and private sector on meetings and unproductive name changes?
The municipality’s technical staff in Bethal complains that they do not receive their orders for materials and equipment to repair and maintain the services and the roads and the municipality also claim they not have the necessary funds.
They do not even have the funds or staff expertise to maintain the ever increasing sewerage problems, the pitiable “gravel” roads in eMzinoni, the many potholes and death traps in the streets and sidewalks (repairs, if done, being shoddily and bumpy), the cracked tarred streets (that should have been re-sealed at least 10 years ago – every crack is a potential future pothole), deteriorated street signs and names, the many electricity failures and shoddy repairs thereof, over 90 per cent of street lights not working and poles that fell over, the rubbish landfall sites that does not comply with landfall specifications, cattle roaming freely in the town streets and gardens, hawkers on sidewalks and the list can go on and on.
The town Bethal was established by the Du Plooy and Naude families in 1878 on their farm Blesbokspruit.
The town’s name was a combination of the owner’s wives given in their honour.
Considering the above, the municipality has an unprecedented cheek and audacity to consider a name change.
A name change will be nothing more than a blatant and unashamed theft of another’s effort and ability.
Lou van Coppenhagen, Bethal.
