PROGRESS REPORT ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES SOCIAL SOCIAL COHESION CAMPAIGN STANDARDIZATION, TRANSFORMATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES AND NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARINGS

CONTENTS 1.INTRODUCTION 2.CHALLENGES RELATED TO STANDARDIZATION AND TRANSFORMATION 3.CABINET AND FOSAD INTERVENTION 4.WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE THIS INSTRUCTION 5.WHAT HAPPENED SINCE THIS INSTRUCTION 6.ENVISAGED NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS 7.MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES COUNCIL 8.NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARINGS 9.PROPOSED DATES FOR NATIONAL HEARINGS 10.WHAT FORM OF PREPARATORY WORK? 11. PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD INFORM THIS PROCESS (NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING) 12.COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING 2

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. The South African Geographical Names Council is tasked with the responsibility, amongst other things, to standardize and transform names of geographical features. 1.2This entails decolonizing the heritage landscape by replacing colonial names with the names that reflect a postcolonial, post-apartheid, democratic South Africa. 1.3However, this transformation and decolonization should happen within the spirit of unity so that we are able to build a cohesive society. 1.4A cohesive society is characterized by a shared vision, coherence, unity and functionality as well as an environment within which its citizens can flourish and prosper. 3

2. CHALLENGES RELATED TO STANDARDIZATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 2.1. Conflict and contestation. 2.2 Perceptions that the heritage of certain cultural groups is being destroyed 2.3Perceptions that the renaming is a reverse form of discrimination. 2.4Disputes and court cases. 2.5Some people have constantly used an economistic argument that says that we should be using this money to build houses and create employment opportunities. 2.6Claims, therefore that the process is inimical and antithetical to national unity and social cohesion. 4

3.CABINET INSTRUCTION 23 MAY An instruction was given that the Department of Arts and Culture through the South African Geographical Names Council should review and redesign its strategy on the standardization and transformation of names of geographical features. 3.2The SAGNC is expected to facilitate and conduct nationwide public hearings to encourage national dialogue on issues of geographical names. 3.3This should entail a process where communities identify those names that they would like to see being transformed or standardized. 5

4. WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE THIS INSTRUCTION 6 4.1On the 23 January 2006 the Minister approved the call for nomination for the New South African Geographical Names Council. 4.2Adverts for call for nomination were posted on the Sunday Times, City Press (on the 12 February 2006) and also on Beeld on the 13 February The call for nomination appeared in four languages i.e English, Afrikaans, Sesotho and isiZulu 4.4Only 28 people were nominated by the public, five(5) females and twenty three (23) males. 4.5A Panel was appointed by the Minister on the 13 November 2006 consisting of Prof Kgositsile (Chairperson), Dr L Callinicos, Prof N Golele and Ms P Madiba. It had its meeting on the 31 January 2007.

5.WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THIS INSTRUCTION 5.1Taking into consideration lack of representativeness out of 28 candidates nominated, 23 May 2007 Cabinet instruction and representation made to the Minister by other sections of our society (who were concerned that they did no see the adverts for them to make nomination) the Minister re-opened call for nominations. 5.2Adverts were placed on the following publications from 22 June 2007 to 01 July 2007, Beeld, Rapport, Die Burger, Sowetan, Pretoria News, Ilanga Lase Natali, Isolezwe, Umafrika, City Press and Sunday Times. 5.3Call for nomination was closed on 13 July 2007 with 57 candidates nominated by the public, 9 females and 48 males (the sum of 57 is inclusive of 28 candidates nominated during the first call for nominations). 7

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THIS INSTRUCTION 5.4On the 17 August 2007 the Minister appointed another Panel made of Mr T Wakashe (Chairperson), Prof N Golele, Prof W Esterhuyse, Ms E Ghandi, Ms C Mampane and Mr M Langa to assist him with selection process of suitable candidates. 5.5The Panel had its meeting on the 19 September After taking into consideration recommendations of the Panel, submissions from provinces, Government Departments and Institutions on the 12 October 2007 the Minister appointed the South African Geographical Names Council to serve from 2007 to

6. MEMBERS OF SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES COUNCIL Members of the South African Geographical Names Council appointed in terms of Section 2(a)(b) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act of Adv K T Ntsewa: Ministerial Appointment 6.2Dr E C Liebenberg: Ministerial Appointment 6.3Dr B Meiring : Ministerial Appointment 6.4Mr L L Nawa: Ministerial Appointment 6.5Mr M Mathebula: Ministerial Appointment 6.6Ms M F Sadiki: Ministerial Appointment 6.7Prof I J van Der Merwe: Ministerial Appointment 6.8Dr E L van Harte: Ministerial Appointment 9

MEMBERS OF SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES COUNCIL Members appointed in terms of Section 3(a) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act of Mr J Strauss: Northern Cape Representative 6.10Mr F Dyubhele: Eastern Cape Representative 6.11Ms M S Ratu-Dlamini: Mpumalanga Representative 6.12Mr S J Monyobo: Free State Representative 6.13Dr T Thiba: North West Representative 6.14Mr M Musitha: Limpopo Representative 6.15Mr S G Mthimunye: Gauteng Representative 6.16OUTSTANDING: KwaZulu Natal 6.17OUTSTANDING: Western Cape 10

MEMBERS OF SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES COUNCIL Members of the South African Geographical Names Council appointed in terms of Section 3(b) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act 6.18Mr V Mdwara: Land Affairs (Surveys and Mapping) 6.18 Ms D Mochotlhi: Water Affairs and Forestry 6.19Ms J Mulaudzi: Transport 6.20Adv S Kholong: Provincial and Local Government 6.21Adv S Mancotywa: National Heritage Council 6.22OUTSTANDING: PanSALB 6.23OUTSTANDING: S A Post Office 11

7. NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS 7.1Official comminucation was sent to all stakeholders on 27 February All the Premiers, MEC’s, the Mayors, National Houses of Traditional Leadership, Civil Society Organizations, Political Parties and Trade Union Organizations. 12

7. NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS (cont.) 7.4To request stakeholders to mobilize their respective communities to start collecting names. 7.5To request stakeholders to commission research aimed at validating recommended names. 7.6To suggest proposed dates. 7.7To Identify roles that will be played by various political and administrative principals. 13

8. NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARINGS 8.1 Our preliminary scoping exercise shows that we are looking at: 47 District Municipalities 231 Local Municipalities 6 Metropolitan Municipalities 8.2Given the 18 months time-frame, we suggest a two day summit/workshop in each province. 8.3Our officials/secretariat will have to do preparatory work for the workshops. 14

9. WHAT FORM OF PREPARATORY WORK? 9.1 Identification and collection of names that need to be addressed. 9.2Listing and classification of names according to the following categories: 9.2.1Names that are incorrectly spelt 9.2.2Multiple names and duplicated names 9.2.3Names not officially recognized 9.2.4Offensive names 9.2.5Corrupted names and 9.2.6Attend to any other names that might need to be revised 15

9. WHAT FORM OF PREPARATORY WORK? (cont.) 9.3Presentation of those names for discussion during the summit 9.4Such names will be subjected to debate and public scrutiny 9.5Referred to relevant PGNCs for verification 9.6Referred to SAGNC for final recommendation. 16

10. PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD INFORM THIS PROCESS (NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING) 10.1Research will be necessary in order to validate recommendations. 10.2In the process of this national dialogue, it will be necessary to use languages that are understood by relevant communities. 10.3Through this process, it will be necessary to reclaim previously marginalized cultural identities but at the same time dispelling the notion that certain cultures are being deliberately marginalized. 10.4Gender representativity 17

11.PROPOSED DATES FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1The Launch of the Campaign was held on 30 May 2008 in Cape Town. 11.2The tentative schedule for the campaign is as follows: FREE STATE July 2008 KWAZULU NATAL July 2008 LIMPOPO July 2008 NORTH WEST14 – 15 August 2008 MPUMALANGA September 2008 WESTERN CAPE September 2008 GAUTENG October 2008 EASTERN CAPEOUTSTANDING NORTHERN CAPE OUTSTANDING 18

13. COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING 13.1 Mass production for handbook, information leaflets and 10 minutes DVD on Geographical names. 13.2Fostering partnership with both electronic and print media. 13.3Community Radio Stations. 13.5Media Monitoring to check impact. 19

Thank You 20