According to Marieta Visser, a DA councillor at the Masilonyana Local Municipality tt appears the correct protocol for this name change to “Winnie Mandela” was not followed.

Visser said the DA will lodge a petition to ensure that proper participation is adhered to.

According to her the DA is of the view that this procedure was not followed due to a lack of certain principles.

Visser said when proposals for name changes are made, it should only be considered with the following in mind:

1. It should not exclude any segment of the population;

2. It should not be controversial, but a uniting gesture;

3. It should only be formalised and announced once adequate and transparent consultation with all interested and affected parties has taken place and their views considered;

4. The financial implications and impact of name changes on both the state and private sector should be quantified. Financial planning must take place and budgets must be adjusted to make provision for such changes. In this respect, local priorities such as service delivery must be considered;

5. Any proposal should emanate from the community;

6. All proposals and/or objections should be given adequate consideration;

7. Procedures as set out in the Handbook for Geographical Names should be considered.

“The DA believes that the name changing process regarding Brandfort was seriously flawed and unsatisfactory. The Constitution is clear that South Africa belongs to everyone who lives in it and name changes should be carried out in this spirit, as well as the spirit of participatory democracy,” says Visser.

The DA will lodge a petition to assist residents who want to comment on the name change to do so within the prescribed period in terms of the South African Geographical Names Council. Written questions will also be submitted to the Minister to establish what process, if any, was followed during the process so far.