WATCH: ‘We are going to remove all names of our oppressors from our streets’ – Kunene

MMC for transport in the City of Joburg Kenny Kunene has vowed to remove all the names of apartheid “oppressors” from streets across the city.

Kunene made the remarks during the official renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive on Tuesday.

William Nicol was one of the founding members of the Broederbond and its second chairman – a white nationalist organisation credited with the formulation of apartheid.

Watch Kenny Kunene say street names of “oppressors” must be changed

“We are going to remove all the names of our oppressors from our streets” @Kenny_T_Kunene

“Louis Botha must go, Hanri Potgieter, Hendrik Verwoerd all of them must go we are the only country that allow ourselves to be traumatized everywhere we drive” Kenny Kunene Transport MMC… pic.twitter.com/RkEA2cqfrc

— News Live SA (@newslivesa) September 26, 2023

No apologies

Kunene said the city “cannot be apologetic about the renaming of our streets”.

“Many of them must [be removed]. We are going to remove and we must remove … all the names of the oppressors from our streets.

“The Louis Bothas must go, the Hendrik Potgieter, Hendrik Verwoerd all of them must go.  We are the only country that allow ourselves to be traumatised everywhere we drive when we have to direct people. I get angry every time I have to tell somebody that I am on Louis Botha or Hendrik Verwoerd. We have political power, let us exercise it, let us not be apologetic,” Kunene said.

Watch: Unveiling of Winnie Mandela Drive

Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda echoed Kunene’s sentiments saying the renaming of William Nicol was a “step towards dismantling the symbols and remnants of oppression and subjugation”.

ALSO READ: Zoleka Mandela: Madiba’s granddaughter loses brave battle against cancer

Heroine

Gwamanda described Winnie Mandela as a woman who was dedicated to overcoming any challenges that she was confronted with.

“This symbol marks not just the life of a heroine, but a beacon by which our history was defined. It is however in my view that South Africa was denied an opportunity for a female president of the continent.”

Political parties congregate to celebrate the renaming of William Nicol Drive to #WinnieMandela Drive in Johannesburg 📸: @MichelBega pic.twitter.com/7wOXNcG2fz

— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) September 26, 2023

Meanwhile, the ceremony was filled with an atmosphere of sadness after the news of the death of Nelson and Winnie Mandela’s granddaughter, Zoleka. who died of cancer.

The author and activist passed away on Monday evening surrounded by friends and family. Tuesday would also have been the birthday of her grandmother Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

ALSO READ: William Nicol’s name on road signs not worth a dime