Bhanga sets up committee to fight PE name change
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says it will submit an official complaint to the Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa following the recent announcement of name changes for Port Elizabeth.
Mayor Ngqaba Bhanga says he believes the process followed by the minister and government was flawed and devoid of inclusivity.
Mthethwa last month gazetted new names for several placed in the Eastern Cape, including Port Elizabeth which was changed to Gqeberha, Uitenhage to Kariega and the Port Elizabeth Airport which was renamed as Chief Dawid Stuurman International.
Mayor Bhanga says he is not opposed to name changes, but certain requirements must be followed.
He told a media briefing on Thursday morning that name changes must unify the people affected, must be easily remembered and recognisable, have a historical link to the city or town in question, and should promote economic activity.
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Bhanga announced that he was establishing a multi-sectoral committee to support the objection process and that it would request all documentation about meetings where name changes were discussed from the Provincial Geographical Names Committee.
The Mayor said the committee will meet again on March 10.
“The purpose of this committee is to compile a report with objections and suggestions, and submit it to the minister within the 30-day objection period
