GEORGE NEWS - "The people who matter are the people of George - they must decide."

So said the DA's federal leader, John Steenhuisen, on Monday when he was asked about the possible name change of PW Botha Boulevard in George's industrial area.

The Good Party formally submitted a motion calling for the street to be renamed, set to be tabled at the next George ordinary council meeting on 29 January.

Steenhuisen visited various areas in George ahead of this week's by-elections. George Herald met him at his first stop, where he engaged with members of the farming fraternity in Pacaltsdorp. The discussions with him, involving representatives from various media houses, covered a range of issues, including the proposed renaming of PW Botha Boulevard.

Asked if the DA would like to see a name change or not, Steenhuisen said it is not up to the political parties. "It is up to the residents of George to decide their street names," said Steenhuisen. 

"I do not think it is a matter for national government to intervene - local people must decide on the names. History has many different aspects, and many people view it differently. That is precisely why this particular process involves a public process, so that everybody's opinions can be gathered.

"Any street name change should follow the regulations set out by the geographical name change council's act. It has to provide for public participation."

This is not the first time the issue of a name change for PW Botha Boulevard has surfaced locally. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Political opinions

The PA's regional leader, Derick Petersen, echoed the position of the national minister and PA leader Gayton McKenzie, stating that McKenzie has halted all name changes.

"The PA's policy is what our leader says, and as such we will not support any name changes. Our national leader will not back any renaming initiatives," Petersen said.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has voiced its full support for the removal of what it describes as "derogatory and offensive historical symbols", including statues, street names and buildings named after the architects of apartheid.

District Secretary Sizakele Ronoti said the continued presence of such names and symbols "serves as a painful reminder of our past" and contributes to the emboldening of racist attitudes. "Their continued existence in this day and age is one of the reasons racists are so emboldened today," she said.

Ronoti said the SACP supports the proposed name change and believes such sites should instead honour local heroines who opposed the apartheid system. "We must replace these names with those of people like Mrs Mieta Leholo, who was utterly opposed to the system, or Mrs Nothobile Sampo, the proud founder of the Eden FM radio station," she said.

DA's federal leader John Steenhuisen (left) in conversation with cattle farmers in Pacaltsdorp on Monday 19 January. With him are (from left) Richard Hector, DA candidate for Ward 27, Jason Don, DA activist and farmers Ernie Joubert and Joubert van Rensburg. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Local opinions

During a site visit to PW Botha Boulevard on Monday afternoon, George Herald had a chat with one of the shop owners in the vicinity. The owner, who does not wish to be identified, was not keen to share their opinion.

During a second site visit on Tuesday, many of the business owners showed the same reluctance to share their thoughts.

Third attempt

This is not the first time the issue has surfaced locally. In 2017, an application was filed by the Abeeda Harris Foundation to rename PW Botha Boulevard to Abeeda Harris Boulevard - in honour of a young girl killed during apartheid-era unrest.

However, the proposal did not progress through municipal processes at the time. The PBI (Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (Concerned Local Residents)) also submitted a motion in this regard in 2016, but to no avail.

In a statement issued last week, the Good Party confirmed that the motion had been submitted and would be brought by Good's Cllr Chantelle Kyd.

The party argues that retaining the name of former apartheid-era president PW Botha on public infrastructure is inconsistent with South Africa's constitutional values.

Kyd said it was thought best not to suggest any specific name as alternative, but rather have the communities of George decide on a name.

Historically excluded

The motion calls for an inclusive public participation process, especially involving communities historically excluded from decision-making, and invites residents to propose alternative street names reflecting democratic values and shared heritage. Good argues that retaining PW Botha's name is a painful reminder of apartheid, noting that he never acknowledged or expressed remorse for the harm caused under his leadership.

The party says honouring Botha contra-dicts constitutional values and urged the George Municipal Council to formally acknowledge this and begin an official renaming process.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’