Name Change: "Hear us at the hearings"

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - This week marked a significant phase in the ongoing name change proposal, with the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), and the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) conducting public participation hearings regarding proposed name alterations for geographical features in the Sarah Baartman District.

From 26 to 29 February, residents of Adendorp, Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda were afforded the opportunity to express their views in the presence of the committee.

The meeting was opened by Mark Mandita of the Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, and led by Christian Martin, chairperson of the ECPGNC.

The suggested name changes are:

Graaff-Reinet - Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe
Adendorp - Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba
Aberdeen - Camdeboo
Nieu-Bethesda - Kwa Noheleni

These meetings constitute a crucial step in the procedural checklist for the ECPGNC towards ensuring equitable name changes. On 22 November last year, the ECPGNC organised a stakeholders consultation session at the Alex Laing Hall in Kroonvale to inform stakeholders about the name change process, provide guidance to the DSRAC on standardising procedures, and update stakeholders on received name change applications.

Graaff-Reinet public participation hearing meetings

Four meetings took place in Graaff-Reinet with the process now at the stage of public hearings and advertisement of the proposed names for public comment, where details of reasons for the proposed standardisation of each name were presented.

Everyone present was requested to complete an attendance register, which will form part of the documentation to be submitted to the South African Geographical Name Change Council (SAGNC) once the public participation process is completed.

At most of these meetings, residents asked who the individual/s were that suggested the name change. Martin was adamant not to reveal the identity of the individual/s on the basis of compliance with the Protection of Personal Information (Popi) Act.

Members of the public at the public participation hearings at the Botanics Sport Ground.

First meeting - Botanics Sports Grounds - 26 February @ 15:00

About 600 residents turned up for this meeting. Prominent figures such as DA MP and Dr Beyers Naudé Constituency Leader Samantha Graham-Maré, and chairperson of the Graaff-Reinet Economic Development Forum (GEDF) Derek Light, voiced their concerns.

Some of the main questions raised at this meeting were whether the public would be allowed to vote (which was refused), whether the late Robert Sobukwe's family gave their blessing to use the name, whether it would be allowed to change the name again in a few years, and whether the committee is aware that Reinet was a lady of colour.

The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC), and the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) conducting public participation hearings at the Alex Lain Hall.

Second meeting - Alex Lain Hall - 26 February @ 18:00

At this meeting, about 100 residents were present. Sias Smith, chairperson of People for Basic Needs, asked how many names the committee had received.

If there were only two, was the committee convinced that there were only two people in the struggle fighting for freedom?

He asked why the committee didn't ask the residents for more names, seeing as a lot of people had fought for freedom.

A resident at the Graaff-Reinet Primary School, voicing her concerns.

Graaff-Reinet Primary School - 27 February @ 15:00

This meeting was attended by about 100 residents. Kenneth Waterboer stated that his ancestors helped build the town with their own hands. He stated that changing the name would not be fair to Graaff-Reinet residents.

Someone else mentioned that the committee is not interested in the people because they already have the power to do what they want. She emphasised that everyone fought for freedom.

Residents attending the meeting at the uMasizakhe Hall, listening to Jonny Mohlala.

uMasizakhe Hall - 27 February @ 18:00

Jonny Mohlala, deputy chairperson of the SAGNC, addressed the attendees at this meeting. He mentioned that this was the fourth meeting he had attended and that he had only come to listen.

He expressed his fear of contradiction and noted that the meeting at uMasizakhe was different from the other three he had attended. Mohlala stated that they could talk until the next morning, but it wouldn't change what he had heard at uMasizakhe Hall, which was loud and clear, straight to the point.

He said that he listened to other people too. Mohlala also took the time to explain the process of the name change ahead. He said that they have already approached the family and heard their wishes.

They didn't come there to change the name to Robert Sobukwe; they were there because they received an application and wanted to know the community's feelings.

Recordings of these sessions will be assessed by the ECPGNC, following which the submission of a report containing all supporting documents will be made to the SAGNC for evaluation and recommendations.

The process

The ECPGNC received an application to rename Graaff-Reinet to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe late last year.
The ECPGNC informed the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality and council members about the name change.
The ECPGNC organised a stakeholder consultation session last year.
A series of public participation hearings were conducted from 26 to 29 February in all four towns. At these hearings, ECPGNC is mandated to conduct a comprehensive public consultation and report its findings to the council.
Ultimately, the council will advise the Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture on the proposed name change.
After the minister receives the ECPGNC's report, he has the authority to approve or reject the proposed name change.
The minister's decision will be made public through the Government Gazette, following which dissenting parties have a 30-day window to lodge objections.
n If there are any objections, the names are sent to the ECPGNC's objections sub-committee for response.
If a consensus on the new name has been reached among all relevant stakeholders, the committee makes recommendations to the SAGNC, which examines the processes followed in concluding that such a name should be standardised or accepted before the name is gazetted for public comments, acceptance or rejection.

The Advertiser will report on the following meetings at a later stage because at the time of print they hadn't taken place: