Mixed reaction over renaming of Sandton drive

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Political parties are pulling in opposite direction over City of Johannesburg council proposed renaming of one of its iconic streets, Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.

The council’s decision to rename the street to Khaled dubbed as ‘terrorist’ after an infamous Palestinian plane hijacker has sparked a divisive debate that cuts across political lines.

The proposal has been met with widespread criticism as residents continue to struggle with inadequate basic services saw the Democratic Alliance collecting 4,169 objections and 285 in support of the proposed renaming.

DA said these objections and comments will be submitted to the City to ensure that the process is transparent, particularly as the current administration has a precedent of not including or detailing objections in reports in order to pass them unopposed.

Save South Africa Civic Movement (SSACM) have also rejected the call and said they view this move as premature and misleading.

The movement highlighted that they are struggling to see the relationship between Khaled and South African people.

“South Africa has its own freedom fighters in which as a society we can easily relate to; further, how will this name changing boast our economy and reduce unemployment,” asked SSACM spokesperson Tebogo Mashilompane.

He stressed that it is so sad that politicians will opt to focus on name change while the masses are going hungry each day.

Mashilompane continued; “Who is Leila Khaled in our history. How will this name change empower the learners and the future generations.

“We need to teach our children and youth about our history so they can understand and appreciate those who attempted to eliminate oppression and not a history that is irrelevant to our struggle.

“This proposal by the City of Joburg is a true reflection of useless leaders we are having in the City.

“Instead of thinking of revamping dilapidated buildings, they rather think of something that will not add value to, the citizens but to, earn themselves glory.”

Mashilompane stated that when the politicians have nothing to offer to the society, they go for name changing. As the people of Johannesburg and Gauteng, we must reject this lazy proposal, he added.

“The mayor and his team should be thinking about the high rate of unemployment, township economy, eradication of nyaope amongst others but instead  they are looking for an easy way out. An easy way out to steal the tax payers money.

“The fact that Israeli and Palestine are in a war and South Africa has taken a posture to align with Palestine must not be equal to renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.

“Save SA is not oblivious to what is happening between Israeli and Palestine however, we do not see how this is, related to Sandton Drive.

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“So, we can only support the renaming of Sandton Drive if the replacement is, done to honour South African Freedom Fighters, other than that we reject this nonsensical and lazy thinking proposal.

He further called on all Gauteng residents, to, not be persuaded by politicians for political purposes.

“This proposal has nothing to do with honouring Leila Khaled but it has to do with political immature grandstanding,” Mashilompane remarked.

However, the South African Communist Party (SACP) said it welcomes the long-overdue historic decision following a resolution passed in 2018 by the council, with strong majority support from its councillors.

The ANC-aligned partner said it commend the city for finally implementing this significant decision.

“We fully supports the transformation of South Africa’s public spaces, particularly the renaming of streets, as part of our ongoing efforts to decolonise our architecture and historical narratives.

“Renaming streets to honour key figures in our shared struggles is not only a meaningful tribute to our history but also an enduring symbol of our commitment to a just, peaceful, equal, and prosperous society for future generations.

“Comrade Leila Khaled, a cherished ally of both the SACP and the people of South Africa, holds a special place in the global struggle against oppression.

“Her activism began during the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, when her family was forcibly displaced from Haifa to Lebanon. At just 15, she joined the Arab National Movement, advocating for Palestinian liberation.

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“Throughout her life, she has been a resolute figure in the fight against Israeli occupation, both locally and internationally,” the party expressed.

According to SACP, Khaled’s name stands alongside the heroines of our own anti-apartheid struggle, such as Ruth First, Winnie Mandela, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, Lillian Ngoyi, Ida Fiyo Mntwana, and Gertrude Shope, to name but a few.

“The deep-rooted connection between South Africans and Palestinians in our shared fight against oppression morally obligates us to stand in solidarity with Palestinians against the Israeli apartheid regime,” the statement read.