Randfontein and Westonaria will be merging in due course and will mark the beginning of a new era in the towns’ rich history.
The municipalities have decided to mark this auspicious event by renaming Randfontein to Emhlangeni.
Randfontein’s history dates back to the 1550s when the AmaNdebele lived as one nation in Emhlangeni (today’s Randfontein area) under King Mhlanga approximately between 1550 to 1580.
Emhlangeni can be translated into the Sesotho language as ‘Mohlakeng’, one of the suburbs of the town. Randfontein was established formally in 1890 and proclaimed a municipality in 1929.
The new name will be launched officially when the municipalities merge, giving the Department of Infrastructure time to prepare the new name signs. All road signs to Emhlangeni (Randfontein) also will be changed.
Newly appointed Executive Mayor of Randfontein, Mzi Khumalo said he believes the name change will spark different opinions, some even negative, but ultimately he believes the change will bring the town’s people closer and unify them.
“Change is inevitable, it comes with a price,” Khumalo said.
