DBNLM community opposed to proposed name changes

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Residents in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality are up in arms as the public hearings for the proposed name changes of towns approach. The hearings will be conducted from 26 to 29 February.

The proposed name changes are:

Graaff-Reinet: Robert Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie
Adendorp: Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba
Aberdeen: Camdeboo
Nieu-Bethesda: Kwa Noheleni

The proposal was announced by Mark Mandita, representative of the Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture during a special council meeting on 29 August 2023.

From the onset, public participation was raised as a huge concern, particularly since Mandita concluded his presentation on the proposed name changes by pointing out that the names of other towns in the Eastern Cape have changed despite strong objections by the respective communities.

"Grahamstown objected to Makhanda and Port Elizabeth objected to Gqeberha but both names were changed," he said.

At the time, DA MP and Dr Beyers Naudé Constituency Leader Samantha Graham-Maré emphasised that it is of vital importance for government to engage with the community.

"South Africans have the right to be consulted and participate in decisions that affect their interests," she said. "Renaming the fifth oldest town in South Africa most certainly requires thorough public participation and stakeholder engagement."

A concerned resident also highlighted that public participation is legally required and that it is therefore illegal not to take the public's objections into account.

The public hearings have been scheduled as follows:

Graaff-Reinet:

26 February at 15:00: Robert Sobukwe building for Wards 2 and 4
26 February at 18:00: Alex Laing hall for Wards 4 and 5
27 February at 15:00: Umasizakhe hall for Wards 5 and 6
27 February at 18:00: Graaff-Reinet Primary School for Wards 3 and 7

Aberdeen:

28 February at 15:00: Thembalesizwe community hall for Ward 1
28 February at 18:00: Aberdeen Library for Ward 7

Nieu-Bethesda:

29 February at 12:00: Pienaarsig community hall for Ward 2

Residents Concerned

Another concerned resident says it is distressing to see that five of the eight public consultation meetings have been scheduled during normal working hours.

"Some people are suspicious that the organisers do this deliberately to exclude certain sectors of the community from making their contribution, while other sectors could be bused or taxied in to ensure their presence.

"Especially since those attending will have to give an indication of their approval or disapproval of the proposed name change," he says. "The outcome of the meetings could therefore be skewed if everyone is not given a fair chance to express their feelings."

Ticking Boxes

Graham-Maré says they obviously have an issue with some of the times allocated, as many people are working.

She is also of the opinion that the idea to use the Robert Sobukwe building for a joint meeting for the residents of the Horseshoe and Ward 4 is "absolutely ludicrous".

"It is very much looking like a box-ticking exercise as opposed to genuine interest in engaging the public," says Graham-Maré. "They are obviously just trying to get it done more than they are actually giving any real value to it."

Graham-Maré requests that everyone who has an interest in the issue makes a point of attending these meetings.

Councillor Eldrige Ruiters says communities in all the affected areas must seize the opportunity and attend these meetings in their numbers.

"This is the one opportunity that communities will get to address the Eastern Cape Geographical Name Change Committee (ECNGC) directly," he says.

"The idea is not to speak ill of the proposed names, but rather to emphasise the indigenous value that the existing names hold." Ruiters believes that this is also the opportunity to hold the ECNGC accountable to follow its own guidelines.

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