One of Limpopo’s newly formed municipalities has finally been given a name. Known as LIM345 until recently, the Malamulele based municipality is now Collins Chabane municipality.
The name Collins Chabane was formally gazetted by the department of cooperative governance human settlements and traditional affairs in Limpopo on Monday, 13 November 2017.
This came after several public participation programmes were held. Various stakeholders have agreed in naming the newly formed entity which saw the merger of Malamulele, Vuwani and Hlanganani areas.
The entity is named after the late Minister of public service and administration services, Collins Chabane who hailed from Xikundu Village, as a token of appreciation for his role in the fight against the apartheid regime.
Chabane passed away in a horrific car accident in N1 Polokwane in 2015, during his funeral, Hosi Xilungwa Mhinga asked President Jacob Zuma to grant Malamulele people a municipality in his honour.
Secretary of Collins Chabane congress of traditional leaders of South Africa (Cotralesa) Hosi Shigamane, says traditional leaders have welcomed the naming of the municipality after the former Minister, as he did a lot in bringing change in the country.
“So far, as traditional leaders we are happy with the progress of the municipality, as it’s still new, we hope that it will be one of the best municipalities in the country,” says Shigamane.
Mayor of Collins Chabane municipality, Joyce Bila says it’s not the municipality that chose the name but the community at large, so, it is an honour and legacy for everyone across the municipality.
“As a municipality, we will make sure that we take service delivery to the people as an honour to the late gallant fighter Collins Chabane,” she says.
“We will work with all relevant stakeholders to make sure that Collins Chabane is one of the best municipalities across the country,” she adds.
The municipality started operating on 16 August 2016 following the local government elections and it consists 32 wards.
Joyce Bila was appointed Mayor, Matome Elvis Lebea was appointed speaker of the municipality and Miyelani Chauke is a chief whip.
However, uncertainty hangs over the municipality’s future as several residents from Vuwani, led by the Pro-Makhado task team are against their inclusion into the new entity.
