Cape Town is international

ACCORDING to Airports Company South Africa spokesperson Deidre Davids, Transport Minister Blade Nzimande wants Cape Town International Airport to be renamed after Nelson Mandela (NMIA) this year, in celebration of the centenary of the global icon’s birth.

This came to light in a Cape Times probe after EFF leader Julius Malema challenged the ANC at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s funeral on Saturday to rename the airport after her.

While the public may welcome the universally loved Nelson Mandela’s name to be associated with the airport, the ANC would be well aware that far too few women have been honoured by having buildings, such as airports and hospitals, and roads named after them.

It is something that must change – and change quickly. Besides maWinnie, the name of another hero of the Struggle, the late Albertina Sisulu, should also be considered.

This is also the centenary year of her birth and is meant to be a joint celebration of her and Madiba, yet little is heard of what the ANC government, especially its controversial Women’s League, plans doing to honour her.

And while Madiba is being considered for the richly deserved honour of our city’s airport being renamed NMIA, nothing is mentioned of how maAlbertina is to be honoured. Is this not so typical of our patriarchal society? Sisulu and her husband, Walter, the icon who introduced Madiba to the ANC, were jailed and detained a number of times for their political activities.

Madiba had referred to Walter as the power behind the throne, so he too would be a candidate for the honour.

In fact, we have no shortage of heroes and heroines to honour, or likely places.

But would it be wise to rename Cape Town International in the first place?

We should carefully think this through. As a tourist destination the name Cape Town is known and favoured throughout the world, along with Table Mountain.

Cape Town is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Should we sacrifice this valuable brand name at the whim of a minister trying to curry favour?

As Madiba put it: It’s in your hands.