The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Buffalo City Metro has shot down a proposal by the ANC to rename the metro Dr WB Rubusana Metropolitan municipality.
The party said such a change was an “opportunistic proposal” and a “counter-productive move”.
The EFF yesterday said the metro should focus on delivering decent services to its citizens, instead of a name change.
EFF regional spokesman Masiviwe Boyeni said his party supported the changing of colonial names, however, there was nothing colonial about the name Buffalo City and that it should remain.
The ANC regional conference a fortnight ago resolved that both the metro and party’s region name should change and be renamed after Rubusana.
Boyeni said the municipality was characterised by many social-ills that needed immediate attention, and the name change was not one of them.
“We acknowledge the role played by Dr Rubusana in the national liberation struggle and culture.
“However, we want to put it perfectly clear that there is precisely nothing colonial about the name Buffalo City as it represents the richness of the area when it comes to wildlife and nature which are primary sources of investment through tourism,” Boyeni said.
ANC BCM regional chairperson Xola Pakati yesterday said the party’s resolution paved the way for them to rename the ANC’s BCM region Dr WB Rubusana region.
He said such rebranding was at an advanced stage and that a formal unveiling of the new regional name will be done soon where Rubusana’s family would also be invited.
He said EFF was “jumping the gun” as the process to rename the metro had not yet started and would only begin after consultation with the general public.
“For them to suggest that Buffalo City was not a colonial name is devoid of the truth.”