KAROO NEWS - "The Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality (DBNLM) and the Office of the Mayor have noted with concern that a false rumour with malicious intent was making the rounds in different media and social platforms that the mayor, Clr Willem Safers, was behind the suggested name changes for Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen, Adendorp and Nieu-Bethesda."
These are the words with which Vuyisa Jantjies, spokesperson for the DBNLM, refuted rumours regarding the origin of the suggested name changes.
Jantjies said that the DBNLM was informed of the name change during a virtual special council meeting, by officials of the provincial Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC).
The suggested name changes are as follows:
- Graaff-Reinet to Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe or Rev Fred Hufkie
- Aberdeen to Kamdeboo
- Adendorp to Mseki Bishop Limba
- Nieu-Bethesda to KwaNoheleni
Safers surprised by new names
"The council and officials were all taken by surprise with this announcement and had a chance to pose questions to these developments," said Jantjies. "DSRAC officials did not disclose the names of the applicants, citing the Protection of Personal Information (Popi) Act.
Rumours that the mayor is behind the name changes are false and cannot be substantiated with any thread of proof.
Residents who made themselves guilty of this accusation are doing so under the blanket of being uninformed and could be due to lack of knowledge of the process that is to unfold."
Public participation
According to Jantjies, the DSRAC officials explained to Council during the briefing that the DSRAC Name Changing Unit will announce dates for the public participation process, that gives members of the public and affected parties the opportunity to object or express support for the suggested name changes. This process has not commenced yet, and will be handled by the DSRAC, not the municipality. Residents will also be afforded the opportunity to object or support the name changes directly to the Minister of Arts and Culture after the report of the public participation process has been forwarded to the minister.
Municipality has no say
"The municipality has taken no official position on the suggested name changes," Jantjies said. "Council has not discussed or taken any resolution on the matter. The process will also have no financial implications on the municipality as the matter is not suggested or influenced by the municipality. The municipality therefore encourages residents to wait for the public comment period, which will be facilitated by DSRAC, to make their submissions with regard to the suggested name changes."
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