The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is consulting the public on changing the apartheid-era names of some streets in Randburg, JDA head Lael Bethlehem said on Wednesday.
She said Randburg was dominated by apartheid-era names and, in particular, Hendrik Verwoerd and Hans Strijdom drives had to be renamed.
The JDA had contacted the Johannesburg mayor’s office and was busy consulting the public for suggestions, Bethlehem told the launch of Women’s Month celebrations at the former women’s prison at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg.
Bethlehem said some business owners were complaining that it was difficult to invite partners and clients to a street with a name like Hendrik Verwoerd.
”There has been a suggestion to rename Hans Strijdom [to] Malibongwe [give praise] … the name does not cancel him [Strijdom], he is there.”
”Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi” [Praise the women’s voice] was a slogan normally used by women during protest marches and gatherings.
She said Malibongwe would still remind South Africans of Strijdom as the slogan was used in protest against his government.
”He is there because of the response he received from the women of that time.”
On August 9 1956 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings protesting against the Strijdom government’s Pass Laws. — Sapa