JHB mulls renaming part of CBD after Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse says the city is "seriously considering" renaming the area around the St Mary’s Cathedral in the CBD to the 'Archbishop Desmond Tutu Precinct'.
Phalatse made the comments during a media briefing about the city’s plans to commemorate the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate on Tuesday.
The church and the city are expected to spend much of the week celebrating the long-time Joburg resident with sermons and candlelight vigils.
Phalatse told journalists the city wasn’t opposed to the suggestion to rename a part of the CBD after Tutu.
“We have also received requests from the church to consider naming this precinct the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Precinct," Phalatse said.
"That is something we’re seriously looking into.
“We believe that it would really be befitting to honour a man of his calibre and we will begin the processes that are necessary to get that done."
[WATCH] Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse says the city is "seriously considering" renaming the area around the St Mary’s Cathedral in the CBD to the 'Archbishop Desmond Tutu Precinct'.
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Tutu will be laid to rest during a State funeral in Cape Town on Saturday, but several memorial services will be held in his honour across the country.
“We take pride in being able to commemorate a life of one of our own," Phalatse said.
"To this end, the City of Johannesburg has availed its resources to support the memorial service and the commemorative events that will lead up to the funeral service.”
Phalatse added the long-term plans to honour Tutu’s work for economic reform and development include a bid to reclaim the inner-city.
“We are indeed very concerned about the state of the inner-city," the mayor said
“We obviously need time, and we need a strategy,” she added.
Tutu will be remembered for his advocacy work to ensure equal access to resources, especially among impoverished communities.
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