Street re-naming by stealth?

NEW UPDATE Jan 2008 - click on 'continue reading' at end of post

Ok. OK. Headline not intended literally, but it is leading to some short-term confusion. I was returning from a late-night function a few weeks back and did a total double-take as I passed the ‘Malibongwe’ (erstwhile Hans Strijdom, who hasn't cracked a slot on Wikipedia) offramp from the N1.

For one fleeting moment I felt like I’d been beamed up, lost consciousness of time and been dropped by Scotty again, somewhere in Limpopo or North West.

Fortunately, the next offramp reassured me that my homing pigeon instinct was indeed still well.

The pic is from the Jo’burg Metro website (see URL lower down). Thanks folks. Saved me dodging the traffic to get a better shot.

Just two days ago a friend and I were discussing how on earth Hendrik Verwoerd Drive had managed so far to escaped the attentions of the relevant street-name ‘switchers’. Just today, word from my IT guru to say that he'd crossed Braam Fischer Drive. So, adios Oom Hendrik and here's watchin' what happens to you in the Centurion CBD. Maybe the street-name revolutionaries haven't yet found Verwoerdburgstad on their GPSs?

I Googled 'Braam Fischer Drive' to see just what sort of publicity the name changes are getting. I read assiduously and yet hadn’t picked up on either Malibongwe or Braam Fischer waiting in the wings. I notice with much interest that Google only picks up two references on the top of the frame regarding the re-naming. Most other entries are businesses (PRISA et al) getting out notifications about their impending ‘change of address’. All of which in stationery and other signage terms, must cost a whack.

I’m not in disagreement with street-naming (it happens the world over), but I get the feeling that it’s happening rather more by stealth, than via explicit mainstream media exposure. If you read the Jo’burg Muni’s explanation of the process, it’s quite interesting that it does appear to be a low-profile modus operandi. Go see
http://www.joburg.org.za/2007/jun/jun15_streets.stm

Could this all be to avoid a repeat of Nelson Mandela Rylaan in Potch (or is it Plokwe yet?) being naughtily altered by some artful dodger to read ‘dela rylaan’? At least those who are anti the changes have retained a smidgen of humour in their resistance. So all is not lost.

See you en passant then, on the Ben Schoeman (or, whatever it will become) in due course.

Clive Simpkins

And we're to believe that the timing and location of the ads is coincidental? Garbage! This is one of the oldest political tricks in the book. Release something when it's likely to be 'buried' by other news, or the season.

And placed in City Press and Sowetan? Dear God, how many Afrikaners with concerns about name-changes read those publications? Lack of integrity, people! The Afrikaner Bond is legitimately ticked off.

Not helpful from a nation-building or reconciliation perspective. And sneaky, to boot.

Comments

[Jacques de Villiers]

Clive, you may have intended your 'Street re-naming by Stealth' headline not to be taken up literally. But, whether you know it or not, you've hit the mark.
As I understand it, whenever a name change, a new building goes up and anything that can materially and mentally affect the public is proposed, a 'public participation' exercise has to be undertaken. Simply, the residents of the affected area should receive notice and an opportunity to lodge their comments and concerns. Typically, interested parties have six weeks to voice their opinions. These concerns are taken into account before anything goes ahead. I know this is how it works with industry. And, if industry doesn't toe the line in this regard, it is hammered. However, it seems that the government of the day has carte blanche to effect change without any consultation or consequence. (Of course, if you received a public participation document regarding the name change, then I stand corrected).

In my opinion, the government will eradicate all signs of the legacy of colonialism and apartheid - by any means possible (legally and illegally). That's the first step - thereafter, watch them put the screws on us who don't fit into its ideology.

Let's take the case of Pretoria changing to Tshwane. As I understand it, the name change was put on hold pending a court decision. In my mind this means that Pretoria can't be called Tshwane until it has been resolved. However, if you check out the ANC mouthpiece and previously the National Party mouthpiece, TV 3 News at 7, it will refer to Tshwane and not Pretoria. Is it allowed to do this when nothing has been resolved yet?