Newly appointed Sport Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi has instructed the Limpopo Geographical Names Committee to immediately begin with legislative processes to rename some of the province’s streets and public institutions.
The committee will spearhead the mandatory public consultation processes in this regard.
Moloi and representatives of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders (LPHTL), Chairperson Malesela Dikgale and executive committee member Ramadimetja Chuene have agreed that traditional leaders should play an active role in the planned process to rename some of the province’s streets and public institutions after a meeting described as “fruitful” in a statement by Spokesperson for the department, Malesela Ramaoka last Tuesday.
Moloi reportedly pointed out that the traditional leadership institution plays a crucial role in the democracy. “Traditional leaders are the true custodians of our heritage. We can’t begin this process without their input,” she reportedly said.
Dikgale expressed appreciation for the MEC’s decision to involve traditional leadership in the process. “Whatever the department does on cultural matters and rural sport, we should always be involved,” he reportedly said.
According to the statement Moloi said all residents of Limpopo will be permitted to propose names they believe could propel the transformation agenda.
“Our province is a melting pot of different cultures and we have an obligation to make sure this diversity is fairly represented in our public spaces. I have already proposed that we rename our own building after Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya because of her unequalled athletic prowess and inspiring resilience,” Moloi said.
Story: NELIE ERASMUS
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