Outcry over name change

AT THE monthly meeting of the Residents and Ratepayers Association of Beacon Bay, it was unanimously agreed to strongly oppose the proposed name change of Beacon Bay to the unpronounceable KuNondyilo.

A resident has done some research and it appears the name refers to an area near Ronnie’s Motors close to the interchange to Stutterheim.

This has no relevance to Beacon Bay, which has no colonial or other connotation, so this appears to be change for change’s sake – window dressing.

The name Beacon Bay was a combination of the name of the original township developers Beaconhurst Estates and The Bay from Bonza Bay.

There are going to be tremendous costs for businesses, and for others. All the road signs on national roads and freeways will have to be replaced for a start, and the bill will be footed by residents and ratepayers.

There is so much that needs to be done in Nompumelelo and other disadvantaged areas. Name changes cannot be more important than these communities’ needs.

This name has been put forward by the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Name Change Committee. They are holding a meeting for stakeholders at the City Hall on February 16 at 4pm.

In order to challenge this proposed name change we, the residents and ratepayers of Beacon Bay, have drafted a petition to oppose the name change.

We call upon all residents of Beacon Bay to come forward to sign our petition. Come and sign this Saturday morning, February 10, at Sparg’s shopping centre. — Malcolm Symons, chairperson, Beacon Bay Ratepayers and Civic Association