Buffalo City name-change hearing attracts big crowd

Calls toremove colonial-era street names, introduce a “wall of remembrance” for rejected proposals and overhaul public participation processes dominated the first public hearing on proposed geographical name changes in the Buffalo City Metro on Thursday. The hearing, held in Qonce and organised by the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee and BCM, formed part of processes to review and standardise place names in line with SA’s transformation agenda. The town hall was filled to capacity as residents, traditional leaders and struggle veterans submitted proposals and debated suggested changes.

More than 200 people offered support, objections and additional proposals to a list of 43 names already under consideration. Zwelitsha resident Lindelwa Tshaka called for changes to the consultation process, arguing that communities should submit names collectively rather than individually. She said this would prevent duplication and ensure broader consensus.

“Zwelitsha has a number of people who made a difference. Even in Zone 5, there are people we regard as heroes. “It would have been ideal if we met as a community and then came here to propose a name,” Tshaka said.

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“People in Zwelitsha from these streets must first reach consensus,” he said. The discussion related to proposals to formalise the names of five streets in the township, including MJ Tshiyembe Street and SS Tshiyembe Street. Tshaka also proposed that a wall of remembrance be erected in Zwelitsha to honour individuals whose names were not ultimately approved.

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