Metro refuses to divulge cost of geographic renaming process
When asked where these meetings were held, metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe says the meetings were held at the Faranani Community Hall in Tsakane on March 12, the DH Williams Community Hall in Katlehong on March 13 and the Rabasotho Community Hall in Tembisa on March 14.
The metro has denied claims by the Democratic Alliance that it flouted proper procedures in the renaming process of the Springs Theatre and other sites around Ekurhuleni.
This comes after Ald Dean Stone and Clr Sinethemba Matiwane, in a media statement released in September, say they informed the council that the geographic name change policy presented to the council did not follow the correct procedure when the item was brought to it.
The metro says they did have a public participation meeting to consult the public about the name changes.
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When asked where these meetings were held, metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe says the meetings were held at the Faranani Community Hall in Tsakane on March 12, the DH Williams Community Hall in Katlehong on March 13 and the Rabasotho Community Hall in Tembisa on March 14.
Gadebe says this was communicated to residents via notices at all Ekurhuleni libraries, customer care centres and various social media platforms.
The spokesperson would not divulge how much the renaming process was costing the metro and instead says: “The main cost driver for this process will be printing of new names to replace the old ones, and this is a normal process that is done by Roads and Transport Department as and when there is a need to replace road signs that are knocked off by motorists.
“Be that as it may, restoring the dignity of oppressed African masses cannot be quantified in monetary value,” says Gadebe.
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When asked where the money would come from, Gadebe responds: “The metro will allocate budget for this process in compliance with MFMA and South African Geographical Names Act 118 of 1998.
“This is not just a process of replacing old names with the new ones, but a process to redress centuries of racial inequality with regard to representation of demography of the country.”
Gadebe also clarified that the proposal for the renaming of the Springs Theatre was submitted by Cassius Vusimuzi Dlamini.
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