Major road name changes approved by Ekurhuleni
Eight key land marks will also get new names
A whole new landscape awaits motorists in Ekurhuleni as the The City of Ekurhuleni on Thursday resolved to rename 35 roads and interchanges under its jurisdiction as well as eight landmarks.
Among these is Africa’s largest interchange, the Gillooly’s interchange, which will be named after anti-apartheid human rights lawyer and Rivonia trialist, Adv George Bizos SC.
The resolution was taken at a council meeting in Germiston on Thursday.
The City owns 35 of the 42 roads that have been identified for renaming and the rest are owned by either the national or provincial spheres of government.
Olifantsfontein Road will be named after Winnie Madikizela Mandela, who is also affectionately known as the Mother of the Nation.
The Van Buuren off-ramp is to be named after former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who championed the African Renaissance on the continent and tirelessly advocated for Africa’s self-reliance.
Other street name changes include Mary Moodley (Snake Road), Lungile Mtshali (Edenvale Road), Margaret Gazo (Ego Road) and Sam Ntuli (Kliprivier Road).
Among the eight key landmarks that will be renamed is the Germiston Government Precinct, which will be renamed OR Tambo Government Precinct. OR Tambo was a revolutionary who dedicated his life to the freedom of South Africa.
The Springs Theatre will be renamed after legendary actor Ken Gampu, while the new Germiston Theatre will be known as the Dumisani Masilela Theatre. Masilela was gunned down in Tembisa two years ago and remains a role model to young people in the City.
“We must build a city whose landmarks, highways, streets and intersections bear a resemblance of all the people who make up its population. The collective identity and moral image of the city must be drawn from within the histories of the whole population,” said executive mayor Mzwandile Masina.
“The children of our city must grow up in an environment that bears names that are familiar to their home languages and of people they interface with in their everyday lives. I must emphasise that this is the beginning of a process of other phases to unfold in our programme to redress the apartheid legacy and promote social cohesion in our efforts in creating a national democratic society,” said Masina.
The City will have further discussions with both national and provincial government as the process unfolds.
