SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has said that it is in a process of naming and renaming provincial roads and calls on all interested and affected parties to make comments on proposed names and the renaming of major provincial roads.

Proposed names include those of eminent persons from various fields including political, business, labour and sporting fields. They also include literary figures across the social, cultural, economic and political spectrum.

“As per the Gauteng Geographical Names Committee (GGNC) Policy Guidelines, in terms of Section 2 (2.4) of the Policy Framework and Guidelines for Geographical Naming System in Gauteng, communities should be sufficiently consulted.”

MEC Jacob Mamabolo explained that the Gauteng Provincial Government has a role to play in promoting an inclusive South African identity with this exercise.

“The roads and transport infrastructure may have a technical function; however, the provincial government has a conscious duty to play in promoting and reflecting an inclusive identity and cultural heritage with such infrastructure. In so doing, it raises citizens’ awareness and appreciation of the heroes and heroines’ roles in the struggle against apartheid, characterized by division, exploitation and racism. This exercise also enables us to celebrate and honour those heroes and heroines who, against all odds, rose and lit the way in various areas of endeavor and to the attainment of the people’s freedom,” Mamabolo added.