The new name, on a temporary sign board, was unveiled by Mayor Charles Standers during a short ceremony on Heritage Day. It was held next to the parking area of the Conville Library. Afterwards a long procession of cars, with the mayor at the front in a large red fire truck, departed to drive through the whole length of Sandkraal Road into Thembalethu where the boulevard's name was flying high on a large banner across the road near Thembalethu Square.
George is the first place in the Western Cape, after Cape Town, to name a street after the former president.The renaming is the culmination of a month-long celebration in George, initiated by Standers, to honour Mandela's contribution to reconciliation in the country.
In an inspiring message to guests, who included officials, councillors and members of the public, Standers said that history was being made. "Today we are part of history, part of the heritage for our children and all future generations."
He explained that council chose this route to receive the name of Nelson Mandela because it "crosses the racial, cultural and language divides and serves as a true symbol of reconciliation." He appealed to residents to consolidate their national identity and affirm that they are South Africans with a shared heritage. "We have to do our utmost to build a cohesive South African nation."
Although the ANC had questions at last week's council meeting regarding the speed at which the renaming process had been 'pushed through', a number of councillors from the opposition and other ANC followers joined in the celebratory moment on Tuesday. ANC Councillor Bazil Petrus had said at last week's meeting that President Mandela's name should rather be associated with one of the main streets - York or Courtenay - and not a secondary route.
Putco Mapitiza, ANC regional secretary, confirmed this view in a statement saying that it "disrespects the international legend, giving him secondary treatment." He said, "Claiming Madiba is cheap politicking and a public stunt to confuse electorates for the 2014 general elections."
Many business people along the route had voiced strong opposition to the renaming process. Thys Calitz, owner of Omnisolar, said, "We do not have it against the name, but against the cost of such a name change along a route with so many businesses, and taking into account that George's economy is struggling." He thought that naming Saasveld Road after Mandela would be more sensible since it was also the road leading to the campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the cost for the private sector would be insignificant.
* George se burgermeester, Charles Standers het Albertstraat/Sandkraalweg op Erfenisdag amptelik herdoop na Nelson Mandela Boulevard.
Thembalethans Sivuyile Duka (left) and Siyabonga Sonti strolling along Nelson Mandela Boulevard.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest George | Garden Route news'
