THE DA in the CoJ has proposed a motion to have a street, road, avenue or boulevard named after the “The Father of the Nation, Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela” during a council sitting on March 25.
Councillor Tyrell Meyers put the motion forward to council for consideration, with the ANC proposing two amendments, which were accepted.
The DA acknowledges that the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was awarded the honour of Freedom of The City, and that there are currently no street, road or boulevard named after the late President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Freeman of the City of Johannesburg.
There is only a bridge named after Mr Mandela as well as a shopping block in Sandton. It has been a policy in the City of Johannesburg that no road may be renamed after a living individual.
Mr Mandela passed away 15 months ago and it would be only be fitting for a road, street or boulevard to be named in honour of him.
In a surprising move, the ANC has supported this motion, which is rare considering they always reject motions by the DA. The proposed amendments by the ANC call for the process of public participation to also be included, and investigating one of the three corridors to be renamed after the former statesmen, which the DA is content with.
Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, will join Cape Town, Bloemfontein and other cities in soon having a pathway named after the former president.
The DA is happy that the motion has been passed without objection, and that the legacy of Mr. Mandela will continue to live on as we are reminded of his generosity and kindness on our streets.
