The renaming of Mbizana local municipality after late Struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has been met with mixed reactions.
Political parties believe the municipality should be using the money to improve service delivery in the area, including providing residents with water, electricity and roads.
In January 2019, the Alfred Nzo District Municipality received a motion from Mbizana, requesting that its suggestion to be renamed after Madikizela-Mandela be approved.
In the council documents, it was stated that Alfred Nzoand Mbizana municipalities and relevant government departments would carry the cost of the name change. The move was also supported by Madikizela-Mandela’s family.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Madikizela-Mandela's nephew Thembelani Madikizela said they felt honoured and were appreciative of the gesture.
“We are giving it our full support and we trust that the municipality will protect and guard against the misuse of this name and continue to promote and help positively impact her values onto the community, especially to the children of our respective villages," he told Sowetan yesterday.
Even though most of the councillors agreed to the name change, they said it would be better if the municipality could focus on bettering the lives of the people in the area first.
DA councillor Nomfundo Mfingwana said the name change was a good idea but the municipality should first do something that will benefit the locals.
“There is a mud school in Ward 15 which was built by parents that was named after Mam'u Winnie which has no water, electricity or sanitation. It would be a good idea if they can rebuild the school so that it can benefit our children,” Mfingwana said.
African Independent Congress councillor Nozuko Njobe asked what the renaming would do for the village of KwaNgutyana where Madikizela-Mandela was born.
“They (residents) don’t have roads, water and electricity and we have a problem with the fact that the municipality failed to disclose the amount that will be used in the renaming. At least there should be 90% of service delivery before they can officiate Mbizana local municipality to be named Winnnie Madikizela-Mandela local municipality,” she said.
EFF councillor Penelope Soboyi said the municipality should first fix the schools in the area to secure the future of children.
Mbizana municipal spokesperson Thamsanqa Cwibi said at this stage there was no specific budget.
“We are just honouring Mam'u Winnie, the woman who fought for our freedom. The process of consultation has already taken place and there was a council resolution where all the councillors agreed to the name change,” Cwibi said.
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