The largest interchange in Africa, Gillooly’s, will soon be renamed after anti-apartheid human rights lawyer and Rivonia trialist Adv George Bizos.
This was revealed during last month’s council meeting.
The City owns 35 of the 42 roads that have been identified for renaming and the rest are owned by either the national or provincial spheres of government.
Olifantsfontein Road has been recommended to be renamed Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road, after the anti-apartheid icon and politician who is also affectionately known as the Mother of the Nation.
Van Buuren off-ramp has also been recommended to be renamed after former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who championed the African Renaissance on the continent and tirelessly advocated for Africa’s self-reliance.
Other street name changes include Mary Moodley (Snake Road), Lungile Mtshali (Edenvale Road), Magaret Gazo (Ego Road) and Sam Ntuli (Kliprivier Road).
Meanwhile, the Germiston Government Precinct will be renamed OR Tambo Government Precinct and the Springs Theatre renamed after legendary actor Ken Gampu, while the new Germiston Theatre will now be known as the Dumisani Masilela Theatre. Masilela was gunned down in Tembisa two years ago and remains a role model to young people in the City.
Mayor Mzwandile Masina said: “We must build a city which 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.
“The children of our metro must grow up in an environment that bears names that are familiar to their home languages and of people they interface with in their everyday lives.
“I must emphasise that this is the beginning of a process of other phases to unfold in our programme to redress the apartheid legacy and promote social cohesion in our efforts in creating a national democratic society.”
The Ekurhuleni metro will be having further discussions with both national and provincial government as the process unfolds.
