The name change of the Potchefstroom local municipality to Tlokwe local municipality is effective immediately, the North West department of local government and housing said on Tuesday.
”[Provincial minister] Howard Yawa approved the changing of the municipality [name] to Tlokwe last week. The new name, Tlokwe, is effective immediately,” said the provincial minister’s spokesperson, Lesiba Kgwele.
”Only the municipality has been renamed and not the Potchefstroom town,” he added.
Kgwele said the municipality had been renamed following consultation with residents in the area.
”There was consultation at the municipal level, including residents and submissions were made to the [provincial minister]. There was overwhelming support for the renaming of the municipality.
”This was at municipal level, there was no need for a process that involves the Geographic names committee,” he said.
Spokesperson for Potchefstroom mayor Kaizer Mohau said that the city council and residents welcomed the new name change.
”The resolution to change the name came from residents. Very few people opposed the renaming of the municipality to Tlokwe.
”This historic announcement will ensure that demographics are reflected through all aspects of our city, including the names of our important institutions,” he said.
However, Theo Venter, spokesperson for civil society group Action Potchefstroom said residents were not properly informed about the process.
He said that he became aware of the name change only recently.
”It was in the Government Gazette yesterday [Monday]. The [provincial minister] took a decision that encompasses the renaming of the municipality, the renaming of street names as well as buildings,” he said.
”We are still going to take the matter to the court. Proper consultation with the wards was not conducted. Our legal team is preparing to take the matter to court again.”
The Tlokwe local municipality includes areas such as Ikageng, Mohadin and Kanana. — Sapa