The City of Johannesburg has unveiled plans to rename several streets and public facilities in Eldorado Park and Westbury, sparking both celebration and controversy. The proposed changes aim to honor local heroes and icons, but they also reignite debates about the role of name changes in addressing historical legacies versus pressing service delivery issues.
Proposed Name Changes
The city has shortlisted several renaming proposals, including:
- Main Road in Eldorado Park to be renamed Don Mattera Road, after the renowned writer and activist.
- Westbury Recreation Centre to be renamed Don Mattera Recreation Centre.
- Mabaleng Sports Ground in Westbury to be renamed Donnie Gilmour Sports Ground, honoring the sporting legend.
- Nikkel Crescent in Eldorado Park to be renamed Nathaniel Julies Crescent, in memory of the teenage shooting victim whose tragic death in 2020 shook the community.
These proposals were put forward by the Don Mattera Legacy Foundation and the Community Accountability Gatekeepers, representing the Julies family. The city emphasized that the renaming process is part of its efforts to celebrate local figures and preserve their legacies in public memory.
Public Consultation Process
In line with the City of Johannesburg Policy on the Naming of Streets and Public Places, the proposed changes will undergo a 28-day public consultation period, starting on 3 March 2025 and ending on 31 March 2025. Residents, stakeholders, and interested parties are encouraged to submit their comments and feedback to the City Directorate of Arts, Culture, and Heritage.
Comments can be sent to:
The city council will review all submissions before making a final decision, ensuring that the process remains inclusive and transparent.
Pushback and Controversy
While the renaming proposals aim to honor local heroes, they are not without controversy. Name changes in South Africa often face significant pushback from communities and opposition parties, who argue that the process lacks proper consultation and prioritizes symbolism over substance.
Since the establishment of the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), over 1,500 name changes have been processed across the country. In Johannesburg, recent examples include the renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive in late 2023, which sparked widespread public outcry.
Opposition parties, including ActionSA and the DA, have criticized the renaming initiatives as “cheap politics” designed to distract from the city’s failure to address critical issues like infrastructure decay, potholes, and service delivery.
Funzi Ngobeni, ActionSA Gauteng chairperson, emphasized the need for practical solutions over symbolic gestures:
“The city needs to start fixing potholes and stop playing cheap politics. This, and not the renaming of non-offensive street names, must be the priority and focus of the municipality.”
A History of Heated Debates
The renaming of Sandton Drive after Palestinian struggle hero Leila Khaled is a prime example of the contentious nature of these changes. Despite approval by the city council in 2018, the proposal faced fierce opposition from residents and civic organizations, leading to its eventual suspension. Critics argued that honoring Khaled, known for her involvement in terrorist acts, contradicted South Africa’s values of reconciliation and peace-building.
This case highlights the challenges of balancing historical redress with public sentiment and practical governance.
What’s Next for Johannesburg?
As Johannesburg moves forward with its renaming plans, the city must navigate the delicate balance between honoring its past and addressing its present challenges. While the proposed changes in Eldorado Park and Westbury aim to celebrate local icons, they also underscore the need for improved communication and consultation with residents.
The public consultation period will be a critical test of the city’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency. Whether these name changes will be embraced or rejected remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Johannesburg’s identity is evolving, and its residents will play a key role in shaping its future.
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