The Mthatha airport could soon be renamed in honour of the late former president Nelson Mandela.
The King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality has formed a committee to look into renaming roads, municipal buildings and other places including the airport, currently known as KD Matanzima Airport.
The renaming process will coincide with celebrating 21 years of democracy this year, with the municipality working together with the geographical names committee.
Council speaker Dumani Zozo, who is also committee chairman, said the municipality would consult communities first.
If approved, Mthatha would be first airport named after the struggle icon.
“We established a committee to change names in KSD so that we are prepared for the celebration of 21 years of democracy,” said Zozo.
The airport was established under the Transkei homeland and was named after former dictator Kaiser Daliwonga Matanzima.
“It (Nelson Mandela) is the ideal name for the airport. We shall confirm that with the people of KSD. We also have the new interchange in Viedgesville that needs to be named.
“The street names are not local. We have never effected any changes in town. Even the buildings are still called by their old names.”
Zozo said buildings such as Botha Sigcau, KD Matanzima Building, PRD building and others needed to be renamed.
He added that most of the main streets, including Madeira, York, Sprigg and Sutherland would also be looked into.
“Most of the people who came forward indicated they want it (the airport) to be named after Mandela. We have not named anything after him, just the road,” said Zozo.
“Naming the airport after him would lobby investments for the municipality.”
The committee would start preparing for community engagements from as early as next Tuesday, which will include going to chiefs in rural areas.
Provincial transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the department had also been interacting with the geographical names committee about the airport.
“They are going around consulting communities on the naming of places. We want the names to be organic.”
He said it was currently a regional airport. With the upgrades going on, it would hopefully get international status in the future.
Local businessman Mpatisi Filtane said naming the airport after Mandela sounded opportunistic.
“They could be a little bit more original and name it after other stalwarts. They could use Steve Biko or the name of a king.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
KSD looks to change airport, street names
The King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality has formed a committee to look into renaming roads, municipal buildings and other places including the airport, currently known as KD Matanzima Airport.
The renaming process will coincide with celebrating 21 years of democracy this year, with the municipality working together with the geographical names committee.
Council speaker Dumani Zozo, who is also committee chairman, said the municipality would consult communities first.
If approved, Mthatha would be first airport named after the struggle icon.
“We established a committee to change names in KSD so that we are prepared for the celebration of 21 years of democracy,” said Zozo.
The airport was established under the Transkei homeland and was named after former dictator Kaiser Daliwonga Matanzima.
“It (Nelson Mandela) is the ideal name for the airport. We shall confirm that with the people of KSD. We also have the new interchange in Viedgesville that needs to be named.
“The street names are not local. We have never effected any changes in town. Even the buildings are still called by their old names.”
Zozo said buildings such as Botha Sigcau, KD Matanzima Building, PRD building and others needed to be renamed.
He added that most of the main streets, including Madeira, York, Sprigg and Sutherland would also be looked into.
“Most of the people who came forward indicated they want it (the airport) to be named after Mandela. We have not named anything after him, just the road,” said Zozo.
“Naming the airport after him would lobby investments for the municipality.”
The committee would start preparing for community engagements from as early as next Tuesday, which will include going to chiefs in rural areas.
Provincial transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said the department had also been interacting with the geographical names committee about the airport.
“They are going around consulting communities on the naming of places. We want the names to be organic.”
He said it was currently a regional airport. With the upgrades going on, it would hopefully get international status in the future.
Local businessman Mpatisi Filtane said naming the airport after Mandela sounded opportunistic.
“They could be a little bit more original and name it after other stalwarts. They could use Steve Biko or the name of a king.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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