The waiting is over. The MEC for local government and human settlements, Fenny Gaolaolwe proclaimed the new name or the merged Tlokwe/Ventersdorp municipality as the JB Marks Municipality in the Government Gazette on Friday.
Despite a salvo of disapproval and protest, the council spokesperson, Willie Maphosa says the council is satisfied that the public consultation was as wide as possible and could withstand any scrutiny.
‘Council welcomes the name and the process of crafting a corporate identity with the logo and colours of the municipality will begin forthwith,’ he said.
‘These changes were budgeted for from a national fund for amalgamation and will not exceed R400 000. The process is not expected to take longer than three months and may be completed by the end of the year. Residents and businesses will not be affected by the change,’ said Maphosa.
Opposition parties react
The opposition parties continue to stand firm in their disapproval of the new name. Hans-Jurie Moolman, the DA caucus leader says it comes as no surprise since the so-called ‘public participation process’ had made a total mockery of the views of the residents. ‘It was a mere formality to rubber-stamp the majority party’s instructions long before any process for a name change commenced.
‘All along, the DA has been clear about our rejection of the expenses brought about the by the luxury of name changes, especially at a very difficult time. Members of our community are not afforded the dignity of access to basic services and are faced with unprecedented poverty in both Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp. ‘In the same vein, we hope that, by now, the remaining members of the original Batlokwa tribe will have noted how much effort was put into defending the name that was intended to honour their heritage and one that was widely accepted and embraced by most communities,’ he concluded. The chief whip of the independents, Lucky Mokoena, accused the ANC of ‘pushing the mandate of the NW premier’ who declared, a long time ago, that the municipality would be renamed JB Marks.
New name is no guarantee of effective service delivery, say political analysts
The two political analysts, professors Barry Hanyane and André Duvenhage from the North-West University also weighed in on the naming of the municipality. Prof. Hanyane says JB Marks, the name punted for the newly-established municipality, does have some bearing on the history of the new municipality in that the late struggle icon was born in Ventersdorp. ‘Acknowledging the merger between the old Ventersdorp municipality and the old Tlokwe municipality, the new name might be welcomed by residents of this municipal entity. However, caution needs to be exercised in accepting the name since it represents the political interests of a certain sector – the far left communist past – and not the recent post-apartheid democratic values. The demand for an inclusive, broader societal identity should find expression in official symbols, the renaming of public spaces and ascribing descriptors to artefacts, public spaces and so forth,’ he said.
He added that the merger was not necessarily observed or initiated on a scientific basis. ‘The perception that it aimed to satisfy political interests above the socioeconomic feasibility and sustainability of strong and economically viable municipalities has not been proven otherwise. The so-called ‘economies of scale’ in both of the former municipalities are essentially on different wavelengths. The poorer municipality, relatively speaking, may present a burden to the other, thus creating an unequal new municipal entity.’ He says the name change alone or the reconfiguration of the municipal boundaries is no guarantee of effective and efficient public service delivery.
Prof. Andre Duvenhage agrees that the name change will not offer effective public service delivery and says it is clear that the merged municipality is facing major challenges like the lack of proper service delivery and financial sustainability. ‘It is at an all-time low – changing the name will not contribute anything to these challenges. In fact, they will produce even more financial obstacles and uncertainty. Not only is it unaffordable, it is not really in the common interest of the citizens of this area.’ His big question is, Who is going to benefit from this? ‘Maybe, the political elite who will use the symbolism as a form of political propaganda. Remember, if it was not for the amalgamation, it is very likely that the ANC would not have been in control in Potchefstroom/Tlokwe,’ he said
The two political analysts, professors Barry Hanyane and André Duvenhage from the North-West University also weighed in on the naming of the municipality. Prof. Hanyane says JB Marks, the name punted for the newly-established municipality, does have some bearing on the history of the new municipality in that the late struggle icon was born in Ventersdorp. ‘Acknowledging the merger between the old Ventersdorp municipality and the old Tlokwe municipality, the new name might be welcomed by residents of this municipal entity. However, caution needs to be exercised in accepting the name since it represents the political interests of a certain sector – the far left communist past – and not the recent post-apartheid democratic values. The demand for an inclusive, broader societal identity should find expression in official symbols, the renaming of public spaces and ascribing descriptors to artefacts, public spaces and so forth,’ he said.
He added that the merger was not necessarily observed or initiated on a scientific basis. ‘The perception that it aimed to satisfy political interests above the socioeconomic feasibility and sustainability of strong and economically viable municipalities has not been proven otherwise. The so-called ‘economies of scale’ in both of the former municipalities are essentially on different wavelengths. The poorer municipality, relatively speaking, may present a burden to the other, thus creating an unequal new municipal entity.’ He says the name change alone or the reconfiguration of the municipal boundaries is no guarantee of effective and efficient public service delivery.
Prof. Andre Duvenhage agrees that the name change will not offer effective public service delivery and says it is clear that the merged municipality is facing major challenges like the lack of proper service delivery and financial sustainability. ‘It is at an all-time low – changing the name will not contribute anything to these challenges. In fact, they will produce even more financial obstacles and uncertainty. Not only is it unaffordable, it is not really in the common interest of the citizens of this area.’ His big question is, Who is going to benefit from this? ‘Maybe, the political elite who will use the symbolism as a form of political propaganda. Remember, if it was not for the amalgamation, it is very likely that the ANC would not have been in control in Potchefstroom/Tlokwe,’ he said
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