AUDIO: Table Bay Boulevard may be renamed after de Klerk

On Wednesday, the city said, "this proposal complies with the city's naming policy which states that citizens of Cape Town and South Africa may be considered in their lifetime if they have received international recognition of the highest kind," councillor Brett Herron said in a statement.

 

Herron said the former president fell within that category.

 

The 79-year-old was president from September 1989 to May 1994. He was last head of state of South Africa under the apartheid era.

 

In 1993 he won the Nobel Peace Prize along with struggle icon Nelson Mandela for their role in ending apartheid.

 

De Klerk was in favour of the idea provided the street that was to be named after him had a neutral name, his foundation reportedly told the committee. Herron said the final decision was up to the council.

 

"Residents, role players, interested parties and community organisations were invited to air their views," Herron said.

 

This was done over 30 days, from October 1 to 31, 2014, he said.

 

The decision to propose De Klerk's name followed a written request by prominent residents of Cape Town to mayor Patricia De Lille and the city council in June last year.

 

The 27 signatories included Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Western Cape premier Helen Zille.

 

According to the proposal it was opportune for the city to recognise FW de Klerk's role in the transition to a new dispensation in South Africa.

 

 

*************************************