Hugo Leggatt, Wilderness:
I refer to the article Cradockpiek moet dik/Gare.b word by Sydney Opperman in the George Herald of 16 January.
Mr Opperman's articles are always worth reading and this was no exception. His particular emphasis is on why the name should be changed, and also to what it should be changed.
His reason for removing the name of Cradock from the peak is that the much-reviled Hottentot Code of 1809 was promulgated by John Cradock. But this is not correct; the governor in 1809 was Lord Caledon and it was he who promulgated the Code. He also founded George in 1811, before resigning in June of that year. John Cradock replaced Caledon as governor and in the following year, 1812, he instructed the new 'Landdros', Van Kervel, to build the pass which was called after him, Cradock Pass. I don't know but would guess that Cradock Peak was also named at this time. This would seem to be a good reason for retaining the name as the peak towers above the pass.
If the name of the peak were to be changed, it isn't clear why one should introduce a name which is part Indian and part Khoi. I'm not a linguist but agree that there is a word "dik" which means "direction" in an Indian language (possibly Sanskrit?), but why choose that?
