Omphemetse Molopyane

Millions of people and places will be affected by the upcoming street name change in the capital city of South Africa, Tshwane, situated in the heart of Gauteng.

The heritage of South Africa is most vividly seen in Tshwane where people of all races from all provinces live together for work reasons.

Tshwane metropolitan is the biggest in Africa and the third biggest in the world, after New York and Tokyo.

It was decided in September 2007 that 27 street names would be changed. The proposed names include the area from Nelson Mandela to Church Square, which will become Helen Joseph. On the list is the area from Nelson Mandela to the east, which will become Stanza Bopape. The area from Church Square to R511 will become WF Nkomo, and the stretch from the R511 to the west will be Elias Motswaledi. Church Street will become Oliver Tambo.

The street names change in Tshwane honours stalwarts of South Africa’s liberation struggle across the colour, political and religious divide.

Among those proposed names are foreign names of those who played a role in South Africa. Names such as Fidel Castro, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah and Samora Machel are on the list.

However, Pretorius and Paul Kruger Streets will remain.

In 2008, members of the public were given the opportunity to voice their opinions. One said: “Leah Mangope was the first black woman to drive a tractor and she uplifted communities.”

Another asked: “Why is Queen Wilhelmina among the streets that will be changed when she supported ANC financially?”

The name change process proved to be emotional, and principles were proposed to guide the naming process:

1. Preference shall be given to those heroes and heroines of Tshwane who might not get naming prominence in other parts.

2. Gender sensitivity.

3. Different generations of struggle to be presented.

4. To ensure fair representation of all the racial groups.

Name changes

Pretorius  - Will not change

Schoeman -  Francis Baard

Van der Walt -  Lilian Ngoyi

Andries  - Thabo Sehume

D F Malan -  E’skia Mphahlele

Prinsloo  - Sisulu

Genl Louis Botha -  January Masilela

Skinner  - Nana Sita

Church -  from Nelson Mandela to the east – Stanza Bopape

Leah Mangope  - Peter Magano

Lucas Mangope -  Molefe Makinta

Jacob Mare - Jeff Masemola

Walker Charles -  Justice Mohammed

Queen Wilhelmina Ave -  Florence Ribeiro

Mears/Beatrix/ Voortrekker -  Steve Biko

Hendrick Verwoerd -  Johan Heyns

Hans Strijdom -  Solomon Mahlangu

Mitchell -  Charlotte Maxeke

Esselen -  Robert Sobukwe

Vermeulen -  Madiba

Schubart -  Sophie De Bruyn

Potgieter -  Kgosi Mampuru

Paul Kruger -  Will not change

Proes  - Johannes Ramokhoase

Michael Brink -  Nico Smith

Duncan  - Jan Shoba

Zambezi -  Sefako Makgatho

omphemetsem@thenewage.co.za