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Union name change may take years
JOHANNESBURG – Renaming the Union Buildings – the seat of government in Pretoria – could take years, said the Ministry of Arts and Culture yesterday.
“That could, as in the case of the OR Tambo (International Airport) name change, take up to three years,” said ministry spokesman Sandile Memela.
The proposal to change the name of Johannesburg International Airport was formally made in October 2003, and the official renaming took place last week.
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) announced yesterday it had submitted a formal proposal to rename the Union Buildings after former ANC deputy president Walter Sisulu, who died in 2003.
The Union Buildings house the main government offices, including the presidency.
They were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913, three years after South Africa became a Union.
ANCYL spokesman Zizi Kodwa said the proposal had been submitted to the SA National Heritage Council (SANHC), whose CEO Sonwabile Mancotywa had expressed support.
Memela called the proposal “a significant development in the right direction”. He said the proposal would have to go first to the Tshwane Metro Council, as the Union Buildings were within its geographical area.
If the council approved the request it would be sent to the provincial Geographical Names Committee, then to the SA National Geographical Names Council.
A recommendation would then be made to the Minister, who would discuss it with the Cabinet before a decision was made.
“People must understand it’s not about the Minister imposing his will on the people, it’s the other way round,” said Memela. – Sapa.
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