The City of Ekurhuleni resolved to rename Gillooly’s Interchange after anti-apartheid human rights lawyer and Rivonia trialist, Adv George Bizos.
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The NEWS previously reported that this renaming was proposed based on Bizos’ dedication to fighting for basic human rights in the apartheid years.
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Bizos also serves as a life vice-president at Saheti School in Bedfordview.
Executive headmaster at Saheti Warwick Taylor previously told the NEWS that Saheti community is delighted to hear of the name change.
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“Advocate Bizos was instrumental in facilitating a change and transformation within the country, helping people who were going in different directions to come together along a common road,” Taylor then commented.
CoE resolved to embark on a process of renaming 42 street names and eight landmarks after political icons and other eminent individuals from the region.
The city owns 35 of the 42 roads identified for renaming and the rest are owned by either the National or Provincial spheres of government.
Gillooly’s Interchange is the biggest Interchange in Africa.
Van Buuren off-ramp has been recommended for renaming after former South African President Thabo Mbeki who championed the African Renaissance on the continent.
Olifantsfontein Road has been recommended to be renamed Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road.
Other street name changes include Mary Moodley (Snake Road), Lungile Mtshali (Edenvale Road), Magaret Gazo (Ego Road) and Sam Ntuli (Kliprivier Road).
Among the key landmarks to be renamed is the Germiston Government Precinct, which will be renamed OR Tambo Government Precinct.
The Springs Theatre will be renamed after legendary actor Ken Gampu, while the new Germiston Theatre will now be known as the Dumisani Masilela Theatre.
The city will embark on further discussions with national and provincial government as the process unfolds.