Hibiscus Coast name change on hold
Nomusa Dube Ncube, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, stressed that there needed to be wider consultation and that the name should bring unity and create opportunities economically, attracting investors.
IT’S back to the drawing board for a name for the new, amalgamated Hibiscus Coast and Ezinqoleni municipalities.
The name touted in mid-2015 was Ray Nkonyeni, honouring the late struggle hero and local peacemaker. It still stands for now.
However, Nomusa Dube Ncube, MEC for Cooporate Governance and Traditional Affairs, obviously thought it prudent to put that on hold and called for wider consultation with communities.
Therefore, drawings of a proposed new logo might now well end up in File 13.
On Wednesday, MEC Ncube said she was currently considering several proposals for a new name, one of which would come into effect after the merger. However, she stressed that there needed to be wider consultation and that the name should bring unity and create opportunities economically, attracting investors.
HCM spokesman Simon April said MEC Ncube had specifically asked them to consideration the effect of a name change on the established Hibiscus Coast Municipality brand as this was a tourist destination.
However, apart from the name, the amalgamation process was running smoothly and everything should be in place before this year’s local government elections, said MEC Ncube, speaking to local leaders at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre.
“The Change Management Committees are working around the clock to ensure that there are no challenges as we merge or split our local government structures. We need to create a local government that is economically viable and marketable as well as ensure broad representation of all stakeholders,” she said.
