EASTERN CAPE NEWS - The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographic Names Committee (ECPGNC) convened a stakeholders' consultation session at the Alex Laing Hall in Kroonvale on 22 November.
The primary aim of this meeting was to apprise stakeholders of the name change process, offer guidance to the DBNLM on standardising procedures, and inform stakeholders about the received name change applications.
During this session, queries and concerns regarding the name change were not entertained.
The opportunity for addressing issues will be provided during the forthcoming public participation hearing, where the public is encouraged to express their opinions on the proposed changes, said chairperson Christian Martin of the ECPGNC.
The committee emphasised that public viewpoints on the suggested name changes are pivotal and will significantly influence the success or failure of the applications. Stakeholders were solely allowed to seek clarification regarding the process, as clarified by Martin, who stressed that the session aimed only to inform and not to entertain concerns.
Some stakeholders expressed concern as the ECPGNC made it explicit that they would not assume responsibility for ensuring stakeholders' attendance at meetings.
Instead, it is expected that stakeholders take personal responsibility to stay informed.
Additionally, there were discrepancies in the list of stakeholders present at the meeting, prompting the ECPGNC to contact the Graaff-Reinet Ratepayers Association, that unfortunately could not provide a complete list. Consequently, representatives from Adendorp, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda were absent.
It became evident that a significant portion of the present stakeholders had not received invitations because an insufficient list was provided by the DBNLM.
DA Shadow Minister of Electricity Samantha Graham-Maré stressed the importance of active participation, stating that abstaining from participation due to dissatisfaction isn't sufficient to effect change or victory. She emphasised that everyone must engage actively, highlighting the fact that the ECPGNC will focus on quantity rather than quality in this context and are happy to box-check through the process.
Graham-Maré mentioned a private discussion with Mark Mandita, representative from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), during the meeting, revealing that stakeholders and the public still have the opportunity to propose new names, including existing names before the public participation hearing.
Various stakeholders at the information consultation session for a name change.
The process
In a separate update on 29 August, the ECPGNC and the DSRAC briefed the Troika and mayoral council during a special council meeting about name change applications proposed by two unidentified persons. Subsequently, the ECPGNC called for a stakeholder's consultation meeting on 22 November to discuss the process further.
The ensuing public hearing will seek to gauge public opinion on the applications.
Recordings of these sessions will be assessed by the ECPGNC, following the submission of a report containing all supporting documents to the South African Geographical Names Council for evaluation and recommendations.
Upon tabling the report, the minister will make a decision, and if approved, the announcement will be published in the Government Gazette. Subsequently, the public will have 21 days to comment or object to the outcome.
A specific date for the public participation hearing is yet to be determined.
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