William Nicol Road will soon be renamed Winnie Mandela Drive.
This is according to a press release by the African National Congress office for the Regional Secretary, Sasabona Manganye on August 2023.
“The renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive forms part of our efforts to cement and affirm women’s participation in our struggle,” Manganye said. “The celebration and heritage of our struggle, and the immortalisation of our heroines, is a key component in ensuring that we remember our history, and celebrate those who fought for our freedom.”
According to Manganye, it was a befitting time to immortalise the ‘Mother of the Nation, Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela’ – who remained a symbol of resilience, bravery, struggle and triumph in the face of extreme repression. Mangenya commended the City of Joburg for its initiative.
“The response by the city comes in August, a month in which we celebrate women for their immense contribution to the liberation struggle,” said Mangenya. “To this end, the African National Congress in greater Johannesburg region wishes to clarify that it sought approval from Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s family as per procedure in the renaming process.”
Sandton Ward 90 councillor, Martin Williams has been following the process from the start and said the initiative was ideologically motivated, instead of practical. “It’s a waste of money, it’s a waste of resources,” said Williams, shocked that there was money to rename roads but not to repair them in Johannesburg. “Proper repairs are needed, not a name change.”
Fourways Ward 106 councillor, Chris Santana agreed that the move was more politically motivated as opposed to being rational.
“There are other issues needing attention,” Santana said. “Money can be better spent towards more critical assets, like clinics. Give it to the people.”
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