THE renaming of the Khuseleka One Stop Centre at St Monica’s Children’s Home on The Bluff has sparked public concerns, with residents arguing that the opportunity should have been used to honour community activists instead.

However, the Department of Social Development said the decision to rename the centre relates only to the Khuseleka One Stop Centre and does not apply to St. Monica’s Children’s Home, which remains unaffected.

Also read: 130 years of hope: St Monica Children’s Home reaches milestone

The gender-based violence (GBV) centre, which is now called Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi Khuseleka One Stop Centre was officially opened last year as a provincial GBV facility.

Ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman said Wentworth residents expressed shock and disbelief after the renaming.

“People were not happy with the way the selection process was done as they feel the community was not properly consulted. One of the concerns was not knowing much about the person after whom the centre was renamed,” said Snyman.

KaMagwaza-Msibi was the founder of the National Freedom Party (NFP) and deputy minister for science and technology.

She died in September 2021, after suffering from cardiac arrest linked to Covid-19.

Wentworth resident André de Bruin described the move by the department as a politicking aimed at excluding certain ethnic groups.

Also read: Lifelines for victims of GBV in the Durban South area

“It is deeply disappointing that the department chose a politician while overlooking community activists who have been at the forefront in the fight against GBV,” said De Bruin.

Established in 1895 St Monica’s Children’s Home began operating from a shack in Durban’s Umgeni Road. Founded by the Anglican missionary known only as Miss Snell, the home was built to provide shelter and a safe future for abandoned young girls living on the streets.

The MEC for KZN Department of Social Development, Mbali Shinga, opened the centre in December last year. The children’s centre marked 130 years of service.

Naming of the centre followed internal departmental processes

Spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, Thuba Vilane, said the naming of the centre followed an internal departmental process.

Vilane said the focus was on recognising a person whose contribution had provincial and national significance and was closely aligned to the centre’s mandate.

According to the department, the public was informed of the proposed naming of the centre in accordance with its:

• Established internal communication
• Public participation practices, aimed at ensuring reasonable public awareness and opportunity for comment.

“Public notices were published in Isolezwe and the Southlands SUN on September 30 and October 4, 2024. The department received a range of written representations, including both supportive inputs and objections, with submissions from community members on The Bluff and Wentworth,” said Vilane.

He said the department acknowledges the concerns raised regarding consultation and regrets that some community members felt insufficiently engaged.

“The department undertook direct engagement to listen to and clarify issues raised. It must be noted that the centre provides services to victims across KZN and the selected name was intended to reflect the broader demographic and provincial reach of the facility.

“The department remains committed to strengthening stakeholder communication practices in future initiatives, while maintaining compliance with prescribed processes and institutional mandates,” Vilane added.

A timeline for the renaming is outlined below:

• August 3, 2024: A departmental delegation led by the head of department engaged the kaMagwaza‑Msibi family to seek consent for the use of her name.
• August 20, 2024: Formal consent to use the name was granted by the family.
• September 30 and October 4 2024: Public notices were published in Isolezwe and the Southlands SUN to invite public comment.
• October 15, 2024: Written objections were received from members of the community.
• February 10, 2025: The department held direct engagement with the Malibongwe Senior Citizens (NPO) to discuss concerns raised.
• Thereafter, the department’s legal services consulted with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture for guidance.
• Subsequently, the matter was referred to the KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Geographical Names Committee, which advised that the naming of government buildings falls outside its mandate.
• Final step: The centre was named Zanele kaMagwaza‑Msibi Khuseleka One Stop Centre.

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