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PROGRESS REPORT ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES SOCIAL SOCIAL COHESION CAMPAIGN

This report provides an update on the standardization and transformation of geographical names in South Africa, focusing on the challenges, interventions by the cabinet and FOSAD, previous actions, and the nationwide public hearing process. It also includes information on the members of the South African Geographical Names Council.

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PROGRESS REPORT ON GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES SOCIAL SOCIAL COHESION CAMPAIGN

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

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

  3. 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. 1.2 This entails decolonizing the heritage landscape by replacing colonial names with the names that reflect a postcolonial, post-apartheid, democratic South Africa. 1.3 However, this transformation and decolonization should happen within the spirit of unity so that we are able to build a cohesive society. 1.4 A 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

  4. 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 2.3 Perceptions that the renaming is a reverse form of discrimination. 2.4 Disputes and court cases. 2.5 Some people have constantly used an economistic argument that says that we should be using this money to build houses and create employment opportunities. 2.6 Claims, therefore that the process is inimical and antithetical to national unity and social cohesion. 4

  5. CABINET INSTRUCTION 23 MAY 2007 3.1 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. 3.2 The SAGNC is expected to facilitate and conduct nationwide public hearings to encourage national dialogue on issues of geographical names. 3.3 This should entail a process where communities identify those names that they would like to see being transformed or standardized. 5

  6. 4. WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE THIS INSTRUCTION 4.1 On the 23 January 2006 the Minister approved the call for nomination for the New South African Geographical Names Council. 4.2 Adverts 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 2006. 4.3 The call for nomination appeared in four languages i.e English, Afrikaans, Sesotho and isiZulu 4.4 Only 28 people were nominated by the public, five(5) females and twenty three (23) males. 4.5 A 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. 6

  7. 5.WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THIS INSTRUCTION 5.1 Taking 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. 5.2 Adverts 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. 5.3 Call 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

  8. WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THIS INSTRUCTION 5.4 On 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. 5.5 The Panel had its meeting on the 19 September 2007. 5.6 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 2010. 8

  9. 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 1998. 6.1 Adv K T Ntsewa: Ministerial Appointment 6.2 Dr E C Liebenberg: Ministerial Appointment 6.3 Dr B Meiring : Ministerial Appointment 6.4 Mr L L Nawa: Ministerial Appointment 6.5 Mr M Mathebula: Ministerial Appointment 6.6 Ms M F Sadiki: Ministerial Appointment 6.7 Prof I J van Der Merwe: Ministerial Appointment 6.8 Dr E L van Harte: Ministerial Appointment 9

  10. MEMBERS OF SOUTH AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES COUNCIL Members appointed in terms of Section 3(a) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act of 1998 6.9 Mr J Strauss: Northern Cape Representative 6.10 Mr F Dyubhele: Eastern Cape Representative 6.11 Ms M S Ratu-Dlamini: Mpumalanga Representative 6.12 Mr S J Monyobo: Free State Representative 6.13 Dr T Thiba: North West Representative 6.14 Mr M Musitha: Limpopo Representative 6.15 Mr S G Mthimunye: Gauteng Representative 6.16 OUTSTANDING: KwaZulu Natal 6.17 OUTSTANDING: Western Cape 10

  11. 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 6.18 Mr V Mdwara: Land Affairs (Surveys and Mapping) 6.18 Ms D Mochotlhi: Water Affairs and Forestry 6.19 Ms J Mulaudzi: Transport 6.20 Adv S Kholong: Provincial and Local Government 6.21 Adv S Mancotywa: National Heritage Council 6.22 OUTSTANDING: PanSALB 6.23 OUTSTANDING: S A Post Office 11

  12. 7. NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS 7.1 Official comminucation was sent to all stakeholders on 27 February 2008. 7.2 All the Premiers, MEC’s, the Mayors, National Houses of Traditional Leadership, Civil Society Organizations, Political Parties and Trade Union Organizations. 12

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

  14. 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 8.2 Given the 18 months time-frame, we suggest a two day summit/workshop in each province. 8.3 Our officials/secretariat will have to do preparatory work for the workshops. 14

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

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

  17. 10. PRINCIPLES THAT SHOULD INFORM THIS PROCESS (NATIONWIDE PUBLIC HEARING) 10.1 Research will be necessary in order to validate recommendations. 10.2 In the process of this national dialogue, it will be necessary to use languages that are understood by relevant communities. 10.3 Through 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. 10.4 Gender representativity 17

  18. 11.PROPOSED DATES FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 The Launch of the Campaign was held on 30 May 2008 in Cape Town. 11.2 The tentative schedule for the campaign is as follows: FREE STATE 02 - 03 July 2008 KWAZULU NATAL 10 - 11 July 2008 LIMPOPO 25 - 26 July 2008 NORTH WEST 14 – 15 August 2008 MPUMALANGA 11 - 12 September 2008 WESTERN CAPE 25 - 26 September 2008 GAUTENG 02 - 03 October 2008 EASTERN CAPE OUTSTANDING NORTHERN CAPE OUTSTANDING 18

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

  20. ThankYou 20

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