Street name changes

It is that time again in the Tshwane Metro Council! Name changes!

This time it is name changes to streets. I suppose that whenever one group has majority rule over another, it would like to bring about changes. Especially in a situation like we have had in South Africa with apartheid rule until 1994 and then the take over by the ANC in government. As we know, they have brought about many changes in the country. Many towns have had their names changed, such as Pietersburg to Polokwane.

Then there is the current issue about the Pretoria-Tshwane name change controversy.

Just last Thursday, 27 September 2007, the Tshwane Metro Council met and probably the biggest issue of the day was that of changing the names to several streets in the city. At this meeting, the Council accepted recommendations to change the names of the following streets: Church, Zambezi, Pretorius, Schoeman, Van der Walt, Andries, DF Malan, Prinsloo, General Louis Botha, Skinner, Jacob Mare, Walker/Charles, Queen Wilhemina, Mears/Beatrix/Voortrekkers, Hendrik Verwoerd, Hans Strijdom, Mitchell, Esselen, Vermeulen, Schubart, Potgieter, Paul Kruger, Proes, Michael Brink and Duncan.

The ACDP does not have a problem with street name changes per se. What we have a problem with is that some street names recommended for change, belonged to people that really did not have anything to do with the previous apartheid system in this country! Such as "Paul Kruger [who] had absolutely nothing to do with apartheid policies. [He] did not even know the meaning of that word those days," said ACDP councillor AnneMarie Sparg in a speech to the Council.

Cllr. Sparg further said, "There are several ways of dealing with any issue. One way could be confrontational and not budging an inch. This mostly results in damaged relationships. And another way is to compromise and work together in an atmosphere of reconciliation and love. This mostly results in a win win situation with a stronger unity to move forward for the better of any relationship and situation. The struggle is over and we all live in freedom, African and Afrikaner."

In a speech to the Council, ACDP Councillor Richard Dinkelmann said, "The ACDP stands for reconcilliation and nation building. Our national symbols, such as our flag and the national anthem are symbols of this reconcilliation, because they recognise the old as well as the new. 'Nkosi Sikelele' is sung alongside 'Uit die blou van onse hemel'. This symbolises respect and taking hands in a mutual endeavour to build this nation together. This attempt by the ANC to change the names of the streets in our inner city has in our opinion the potential to divide the people in the city and stir up unnecessary emotions. Having said that, we do agree that names such as Hendrik Verwoerd and Hans Strydom should be considered for change - and maybe some others that are not on the list, that could be offensive. At the same time, we cannot see why Church Street, Zambezi Drive, van der Walt Street, etc. have to be considered for new names."

Cllr. Dinkelmann also said, that the ACDP believes "that this is an attempt by the ANC to gain favour from the electorate and to try to take their attention away from the real issues," like poor service delivery, shocking customer service and continuing growth in arrear debts.

Executive mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, of the ANC, said that the ANC-led council cannot do as it pleases with regard to the name changes and must consult with the community. ANC councillor Joe Mkhize said that the council will let the public participate in this regard. He further stated, that instead of adopting a recommendation of getting at least 51 percent of registered voters living in a street to agree in writing to a street name change, the ANC will involve all residents in the Tshwane metro area. He then contradicted everything he and the executive mayor had said by stating, "We are saying, come with us, let's change the names. If you do not want to, we will do it on our own."

Mkhize stated exactly what South Africans have experienced since the ANC came into power. Consult with the community, then go ahead with the plan anyway, whether the community agrees or not. We have seen that with its laws on abortion, pornography and the law on same-sex marriage. This is now going to happen in our beautiful city too, it seems! Democracy is good to the ANC only as long as it benefits from it, otherwise it is autocracy!

Are we going to lose some of the names that the ACDP believes should not be changed? We will have to wait and see.

I believe that the list of names should be shortened to only the names of streets that belonged to apartheid architects and perpetrators. Names that really have historical significance should be left intact, or does the ANC think that only their history has any significance?

The aim of this council should be that of reconciliation, not division. Changing street names without thinking very hard about the consequences of those changes will certainly not bring reconciliation!

Instead of changing street names, why not get down to the real business of any city council, provide services to the people it serves! Or, has the ANC forgotten that they are here to serve and not rule? That is the meaning of democracy!