Ekurhuleni adopts reports on proposed name changes

The Ekurhuleni Council has adopted renaming of geographical features during its sitting on February 21, Benoni City Times reports.

“The Metro has kick-started the process of naming and renaming many landmark features with names that will bring honour and pride to the residents,” said spokesperson of Ekurhuleni Themba Gadebe.

These are the proposed names adopted by the council for Benoni.

Tom Jones Road (N12) could change to Amina Cachalia: She began campaigning against Apartheid and racial discrimination as a teenager.

She became a women’s rights activist, often focusing on economic issues, such as financial independence for women. She spent 15 years under house arrest throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

She was the treasurer of the Federation of South African Women (Fedsaw), a leading supporter of the Federation of Transvaal Women, and a member of both the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress and Transvaal Indian Congress during the Apartheid era.

Holfontein/Etwatwa (N12) could change to Richard Mhlongo: he led the East Rand Student Congress.

He was part of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association underground machinery and similarly involved in the establishment of Daveyton Civic Organisation.

The following name changes were also proposed:

• Barbara Road (R24) – Lazarus Mawela.

• New Library in Tsakane – Mpho Rahab Molepo Library.

• Tokoza (R59) – Dumisa Ntuli.

• Edenvale (N12) – Lungile Mtshali.

• Gilloolys Interchange (N12) – George Bizos.

• Germiston Theatre, which will be named after the late artist and actor Dumi Masilela.

• Voortrekker Street that off-ramp from R21 freeway in Kempton Park is proposed to be named Amon Ngulele.

In total, there are about 42 proposed names.

These names will go through a consultation process through an advertisement in the local media for comments and objections, while public hearings and constituency meetings organised and facilitated by councillors will also be held.