GRAHAMSTOWN’S controversial name change debate took to the streets on Saturday when residents were allowed to stand on a soap box in Church Square, with a microphone in hand, and publicly state their views.
Although a majority of the two dozen people who expressed their opinions seemingly supported retaining the name Grahamstown, hundreds of others simply walked past without stopping to even find out what was happening.
Organiser Xolani “X” Madinda said the two open mic sessions in the City of Saints in recent weeks formed part of the Fingo Festival and were aimed at giving residents a chance to openly share their opinions on the thorny issue.
Local ANC councillor and name change committee head Professor Julie Wells, who teaches history at Rhodes University, patiently recorded the feelings of every speaker during the three-hour debate.
Community opinion was not divided on racial lines as both black and white residents either supported or opposed doing away with the name Grahamstown forever.
Fears that changing the name would cost millions and seriously affect service delivery in the city were played down by Wells when she tried to reassure residents budgets for other projects were “ring fenced” and could not be touched at all.
She said four entrance walls on the two main roads into Grahamstown would be the only immediate changes if it was decided the name must go.
Calling the name change exercise that has been on the boil since 2007 a complete waste of money, Mike Smith, who is Xhosa, said the only reason Makana mayor Zamuxolo Peter, who is from Riebeeck East, was pushing ahead with the plan was to garner political support in Grahamstown.
His feelings were echoed by security guard Simphiwe Lonzi, 31.
iRhini resident Thandisile Madinda pulled no punches when he said keeping the colonial name did not allow blacks the chance to develop their own identity.
Another resident, Joseph Coetsee, said a lack of Xhosa monuments in the city was a major problem
Many speakers called for a referendum to canvas public support for changing the name while others like Pacho Prince said name changes occurred all over the world without major problems.
Rastafarian Mthuthuzeli Mboto said black people were traumatised at all the European symbols in the city.
Changing the name would lead to “mental freedom”.
Nomalanga Mkhize said while she did not oppose the name change, she was against renaming Grahamstown Makana.
“It sounds like the name of a greengrocer or a panel beater.
“Makana City is not a very nice name; we are not given enough choice.”
Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) co-founders Sigidla Ndumo and Jock McConnachie said good service delivery was more important than changing the name.
McConnachie said the fact the municipal district had been renamed Makana was a huge step towards reconciliation.
He called for Grahamstown to keep its name as a symbol of uniting the 200-year-old black and white history of the area.
He said more than 6000 signatures had been collected from all over the world opposing a name change.
Another speaker called for Rhodes University to be renamed Steve Biko University.
Rhodes student Peter Ssonko said while he did not oppose the name change, he did however feel residents were being left out of the process.
“Citizens must decide if the name must change to prevent sour grapes (later).” —
G’town debate on a soap box
Although a majority of the two dozen people who expressed their opinions seemingly supported retaining the name Grahamstown, hundreds of others simply walked past without stopping to even find out what was happening.
Organiser Xolani “X” Madinda said the two open mic sessions in the City of Saints in recent weeks formed part of the Fingo Festival and were aimed at giving residents a chance to openly share their opinions on the thorny issue.
Local ANC councillor and name change committee head Professor Julie Wells, who teaches history at Rhodes University, patiently recorded the feelings of every speaker during the three-hour debate.
Community opinion was not divided on racial lines as both black and white residents either supported or opposed doing away with the name Grahamstown forever.
Fears that changing the name would cost millions and seriously affect service delivery in the city were played down by Wells when she tried to reassure residents budgets for other projects were “ring fenced” and could not be touched at all.
She said four entrance walls on the two main roads into Grahamstown would be the only immediate changes if it was decided the name must go.
Calling the name change exercise that has been on the boil since 2007 a complete waste of money, Mike Smith, who is Xhosa, said the only reason Makana mayor Zamuxolo Peter, who is from Riebeeck East, was pushing ahead with the plan was to garner political support in Grahamstown.
His feelings were echoed by security guard Simphiwe Lonzi, 31.
iRhini resident Thandisile Madinda pulled no punches when he said keeping the colonial name did not allow blacks the chance to develop their own identity.
Another resident, Joseph Coetsee, said a lack of Xhosa monuments in the city was a major problem
Many speakers called for a referendum to canvas public support for changing the name while others like Pacho Prince said name changes occurred all over the world without major problems.
Rastafarian Mthuthuzeli Mboto said black people were traumatised at all the European symbols in the city.
Changing the name would lead to “mental freedom”.
Nomalanga Mkhize said while she did not oppose the name change, she was against renaming Grahamstown Makana.
“It sounds like the name of a greengrocer or a panel beater.
“Makana City is not a very nice name; we are not given enough choice.”
Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) co-founders Sigidla Ndumo and Jock McConnachie said good service delivery was more important than changing the name.
McConnachie said the fact the municipal district had been renamed Makana was a huge step towards reconciliation.
He called for Grahamstown to keep its name as a symbol of uniting the 200-year-old black and white history of the area.
He said more than 6000 signatures had been collected from all over the world opposing a name change.
Another speaker called for Rhodes University to be renamed Steve Biko University.
Rhodes student Peter Ssonko said while he did not oppose the name change, he did however feel residents were being left out of the process.
“Citizens must decide if the name must change to prevent sour grapes (later).” —
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