Residents call for city to relook proposed name changes
“These leaders were not working in isolation and those who supported them should also be honoured and celebrated."
Tsakane – Residents in the east of Ekurhuleni were given an opportunity to have their say on the 59 new names that have been approved for council-owned geographical facilities in the area.
The public consultation meeting took place at Faranani Multi-purpose Hall on Tuesday.
The name-changing process was approved in June and its success rested on the participation of and consultation with residents.
The consultations with the public began in Thokoza.
The residents were not happy with the names of several important struggle heroes being omitted from the list, while others were repeated across the different townships.
Concerned resident Vicky Mkhonza says they submitted the name of Graca Boniswa Rasekoala, who during the apartheid era fought for the upliftment of the community.
“She was an educator, missionary and untrained social worker who dedicated her life to helping others.
“She was actively involved in the education of children and development of the public libraries in Brakpan and Tsakane, but she is not honoured by the metro that she dedicated her life to improving.
“When Brakpan Location residents were moved to Tsakane, she took charge of the township’s library and was also one of the founders of the old age home.
“We believe Tsakane Library should be renamed in her honour and the contribution she made through the years,” Vicky explains.
Another concerned resident, Hloks Buthelezi, says he is disappointed that there are names of fallen struggle heroes who are used across the country, but are still repeated.
“These leaders were not working in isolation and those who supported them should also be honoured and celebrated.
“The names of Chris Hani, Mary Moodley and OR Tambo should not be on that list,” he says.
Nomination forms for naming and renaming are available at all libraries in Ekurhuleni, as well as on the Ekurhuleni website (www.ekurhuleni.gov.za).
The nominations for names for all new and existing townships and street names must be submitted to Dikeledi Mabote at dikeledi.mabote@ekurhuleni.gov.za or call her on 011 999 3209.
For more information on the Ekurhuleni geographic naming and renaming process, contact Trinity Tshisevhe at Trinity.Tshisevhe@ekurhuleni.gov.za or on 011 999 6835.
