AfriForum warns against short-term political gain from name changes – proposes win-win solutions

AfriForum warns that the short-term political gains that can be obtained through name changes are not worth the cost. This follows Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie’s, announcement in the Government Gazette that 21 place names in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are changing.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, it is interesting that name changes are often ratified shortly before elections. “This display of power is easy to implement when serious problems in towns and cities, such as infrastructure crises, present challenges that are more difficult to solve. The name changes also distract attention from more important issues,” she says.

Bailey emphasises that the current dispensation’s name changes create more problems than are solved by it and have long-term negative consequences.

“The cost to the relevant authorities of accommodating all the name changes results in money having to be spent that will no longer be available elsewhere for, for example, water supply or road repairs. The private sector also has unforeseen expenses and then they have to cut sponsorships to worthwhile projects. In the process, nobody benefits.”

With specific reference to the debates sparked by the changing of Graaff-Reinet’s name, Bailey says that greater polarisation now prevails among the residents in particular, but also South Africans in general. “Afrikaners rightly feel that their history is being systematically erased. Some of the black, coloured and white residents are now demanding that other prominent people who were born in the town, should rather be named, for example the business giant Anton Rupert, or education pioneer Fred Hufkie. The debates and disputes are increasing, instead of people feeling that more communities are being included.”

“In addition, the fact that most residents opposed the name change during public consultation processes also creates the impression that these meetings are just about ticking off a checklist while creating window dressing, and that authorities are not truly interested in the public’s opinions. This creates the risk of increasing apathy and resistance.”

Bailey suggests that solutions should be found whereby all communities can enjoy recognition and mutual respect can be fostered. “One example is to recognise all of the town’s prominent residents when new developments are taking place, for example with street or neighbourhood names. Another is not to name controversial figures such as politicians, but this can still lead to a competition between communities over whose nominee is ‘the biggest star’. In Pretoria, for example, the win-win solution is that the city is still called Pretoria, but the municipality’s name is Tshwane. Double naming can even be applied, like in the Czech Republic where towns have both German and Czech names, for example Eger/Cheb. There are much better solutions to give everyone the necessary recognition without astronomical costs or polarisation, providing that the political will to do so, exists,” she concludes.