Bedfordview residents have expressed discernment on social media after the renaming of Gillooly’s Interchange and now Van Buuren off-ramp to prominent political figures has been resolved.
The agreed name changing of 42 street names and landmarks took place during a council meeting in City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) on September 18.
Spokesperson to the executive mayor Phakamile Mbengashe said this comes in the spirit of Heritage Month, where the country celebrates and recognises the country’s cultural wealth.
“The City has resolved to recommend that the largest interchange in Africa, Gillooly’s Interchange, be renamed after anti-apartheid human rights lawyer and Rivonia trialist Adv George Bizos SC,” said Mbengashe.
He said Van Buuren off-ramp has been recommended to be renamed after former South African President Thabo Mbeki.
Mbengashe added Edenvale Road will now become Lungile Mtshali Road.
“We must build a city whose landmarks, highways, streets and intersections bear a resemblance of all the people who make up its population.
“The collective identity and moral image of the city must be drawn from within the histories of the whole population,” said executive mayor Mzwandile Masina.
Bizos serves as a life vice-president at Saheti School in Bedfordview, where Saheti executive headmaster Warwick Taylor expressed his delight on first hearing the proposed name changing on February 12.
“May the George Bizos Interchange be a reminder to all who travel there that to facilitate real change requires individuals who will stand up for what is right,” said Taylor.
Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys, however, said although she acknowledges and appreciates the struggle of these heroes, there have been questions not answered.
“What is the budget for this process and how will it be allocated? What happened to the multiple petitions and submissions objecting the name changing that was sent to the metro? They have not been acknowledged or addressed in any way,” said Humphreys.
She added it has been confirmed that not all consultations have taken place with affected families; however, there is a document which states it was done.
“This is a blatant non-compliance of our own Ekurhuleni processes,” said Humphreys.
