Photo: Google Maps
Photo: Google Maps
After Gqeberha and Kariega came into existence last month, another major location in the Eastern Cape is going through an identity transformation. Mbizana will be renamed as the ‘Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipality’ on Tuesday, with the ceremony set to feature a keynote speech from COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Mbizana OUT, Winnie Madikizela Mandela IN
The renaming process often proves to be controversial in South Africa, but the ANC is standing its ground on this one. An official statement from the COGTA Department has explained that the new name will serve as ‘inspiration’ for municipal officials – who must now uphold the values of the late struggle icon.
“The renaming of Mbizana is an important step towards ensuring that the Winnie Madikizela Mandela municipality serves communities with care and responds to their concerns timeously and Rapidly. At the heart of the renaming of this municipality is a resolve to serve communities better, bearing in mind that Winnie Mandela was a champion of the poor.”
“Therefore the renaming pays homage to her ideals and values. With communities across the country relying on their municipalities to provide them with access to basic services that will improve the quality of their lives, the newly named municipality has to live up to expectations and its name.”
Where is Winnie Madikizela Mandela Municipality?
Mbizana, soon to become Winnie Madikizela Mandela, shares a border with KwaZulu-Natal. It sits between Port St Johns and Durban, with thousands of friendly locals making their community an inclusive and welcoming one. For those of you struggling to place the municipality, this map should help – but don’t get too familiar with the old name.
Mbizana name change – yes, locals can object
The approved name change was detailed in the latest Government Gazette published on Thursday 4 March, with the decision to proceed with the name-change backdated to 2 December 2020.
If any locals are upset with these developments, it’s not too late to change things: According to Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathan Mtethwa, the South African Geographical Names Act provides for objections within 30 days of the announcement by members of the public – in instances where they are not happy with proposed name changes.
