“This is not the wife we asked for.”
This was the remark made by Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Nqaba Bhanga regarding the change of Port Elizabeth’s name to Gqeberha.
Bhanga said at a media conference on Thursday that he would set up a multi-sector committee to support the objection process.
“We are approaching representatives from various institutions, including Nelson Mandela University, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Heritage Society, Historical Society, the conference industry, local tourism industry, as well as public representatives, to assist us on the committee,” he said.
“We have also written to the Provincial Geographical Names Committee requesting documentation with regard to the process followed and minutes of meetings where the names were discussed.
“Once established, I plan to call the first meeting of the multi-sector committee on March 10.”
Residents have 30 days to register objections to the February 25 announcement made by sports, arts, and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa that Port Elizabeth would be changed to Gqeberha, Uitenhage to Kariega and the Port Elizabeth International Airport renamed Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.
Bhanga said the name Gqeberha had no meaning in isiXhosa and was derived from the Khoi.
He said he had no objection to the name if it were written in Khoi because that would mean true restoration.
However, Bhanga said the new names derived their meaning predominantly from the Khoi and San, questioning the diversity and inclusivity.
“Kariega is from the Khoi, chief David Stuurman is from the Khoi and there is also another place called Kamesh that’s from the Khoi.
“Where is the inclusivity and diversity when the only people who benefit from the name change is one group?” he said.
I want to make it clear from the outset that I am not opposed to name changes, but for any name change to make sense I believe it should adhere to certain requirements.
Bhanga said he believed the name-change processes followed by Mthethwa and the ANC government were fatally flawed and devoid of inclusivity.
“It is imperative that the processes followed in this regard be inclusive and reflect our constitutional commitment to reconciliation,” he said.
“I want to make it clear from the outset that I am not opposed to name changes, but for any name change to make sense I believe it should adhere to certain requirements.”
He said the names should:
- Unify the people affected by them;
- Be easily remembered and recognisable;
- Have a significant historical link with the city or town affected;
- Promote economic activity; and
- Be correctly used in the context of the language they are proposed to be written in.
The gazetted name changes did not meet these requirements, Bhanga said.
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