Anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela Mandela, the former wife of South African former President Nelson Mandela looks on during the funeral of anti apartheid stalwart and Women’s Rights activist Fatima Meer at Durban’s Exhibition Centre on 13 March 2010. South African anti-apartheid activist Fatima Meer, a close friend of former president Nelson Mandela and supporter of the late Steve Biko, died in hospital on 12 March 2010, a family friend said. She was 81. Photo: AFP/Rajesh Jantilal
Anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela Mandela, the former wife of South African former President Nelson Mandela looks on during the funeral of anti apartheid stalwart and Women’s Rights activist Fatima Meer at Durban’s Exhibition Centre on 13 March 2010. South African anti-apartheid activist Fatima Meer, a close friend of former president Nelson Mandela and supporter of the late Steve Biko, died in hospital on 12 March 2010, a family friend said. She was 81. Photo: AFP/Rajesh Jantilal
How much is too much? That’s the question the DA has asked of the City of Johannesburg this week, after launching a petition AGAINST the proposed renaming of William Nicol Drive. Local ANC forces want the major commuter route to reflect the achievements of Winnie Mandela instead – but the project is facing some significant opposition.
Good morning Joburgers. Welcome to new week, new beginnings.Please sign the petition to oppose the renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive. DA cares^LM https://t.co/j9YyuIFRSV
— Joburg DA Caucus (@DA_JHB) April 12, 2021
One of the most common complaints running through the DA’s petition is that city officials have already cut several vital corners, excluding the relevant stakeholders from having their say. Processes on public consultation and the establishment of renaming committees were allegedly flouted, but one issue stands out above the rest.
So many places in Johannesburg have already been dedicated to WMM. A quick scan of Google Maps shows just how problematic finding the right region can be, when a plethora of venues and locations show up left, right and centre:
Let’s say you are leaving Bryanston via William Nicol Drive, to drop your child off at a certain school in Tembisa, and then you wanted to walk at a nearby recreational ground. If the latest name change goes ahead, one would have to get onto Winnie Mandela Drive, to get to Winnie Mandela School, before going to Winnie Mandela Park.
Obviously, that’s an obscure scenario – but as far as the DA is concerned, it’s one that needs to be avoided…
“There must not be a duplication of names. Four schools, a clinic, a taxi rank, and several streets are named after Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Johannesburg. The use of people’s names should be a rare occasion and should a special petition be made with a motivation and a profile, and the city does not have the competence to rename William Nicol Drive.”