NAME CHANGE DEBATE

I am very much disappointed with the sudden name changes that popped up from nowhere, making the Eastern Cape sound more like a renamed rural area. What has then happened to democracy, or majority rules? Who made these absolute farcical behindthe-back choices? It happened so suddenly, without even notifying the residents properly or taking their dissatisfactions into account. With all the millions of rand spent on the changing of street, city and various other names, it could and should have fed many thousands of people and helped supply houses for especially the poorer communities. This is why this government, and the EFF, do not really care about anyone else but themselves. They keep digging into the past, but make very little progress and building for the future. It is all about big talk, and little walk, making so many empty promises that it has actually become a cliché. About these money-wasting name changes, this also again proves that people’s voices count very little, as there have been thousands of dissatisfied signatures against these well-known and very popular city and town names from all colours and creeds. Freedom of choice? Democracy? It is all about politicians and their bitter motives, nothing else! Potjiekos Do you know how much the ANC minister of arts anad culture earns per month, including his massive perks and privileges? Do you know how much this ANC minister costs the taxpayer, every month? Yet his sole (costly) contribution in the midst of this pandemic and economic hardship is to change the names of cities and places! Is there no end to the ANC’s foolishness and lack of priorities? Barry There can be no sensible reason for the name change for Port Elizabeth. Who will bear the when the metro is all but bankrupt? Who will benefit but a few BBEE sign makers who will no doubt have to backhand tender adjudicators. NMBM does not have money to fix potholes, fix our water shortage or supply enough schoolbooks for children, but now must find money to change names for no sensible reason.

Sandy Y What the hell happened overnight? I went to sleep in PE and woke up in Gqeberha and find that the airport will henceforth be known as Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. Who saw that coming and why was there zero consultation with the ratepayers? You know your country is in deep trouble when the authorities can’t fix a pothole and provide basic services but can change names at a huge cost that we cannot afford. Instead of working on important projects like completing the pipeline from the Gariep Dam to bring much-needed water to the PE area, they worry about unnecessary name changes. The stakeholders, in this case the ratepayers, should have been asked to vote.

WS