Take time to make voice heard on name changes

It has been about a week since sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa announced that he had gazetted the name changes of a few towns and airports in the Eastern Cape. It infuriated many but was welcomed by many others too. Since then, some politicians, business folk and residents have spoken at length about what they believe was a flawed process. This newspaper has, however, reported on this matter every step of the way — from the time the process kicked off in 2016.

Nonetheless, one of the big factors that received a backlash from the public was the fact that a petition containing 26,000 signatures counted as a single objection. And yet, a petition appears to be circulating on social media platforms yet again, having garnered close to 50,000 signatures by Monday afternoon.

Residents have about three weeks to register their complaints with Mthethwa about the gazetted name changes.

According to Eastern Cape sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Fezeka Nkomonye, residents could still try to convince Mthethwa to change his mind if they can put forward a strong case for him to do so.

“If an objection is lodged now, then the minister will once again check if procedure was followed correctly,” she said.

It is thus up to all the residents who feel strongly about the name changes to persuade Mthethwa to reconsider the matter.

If you are opposed to the new names, do not lodge your objections on social media platforms.

Do not simply sign a petition and think you have done enough to convince the minister; history has taught us that even petitions do not hold weight.

Take the time to write your comments or objections and send them to the relevant authorities. Motivate why you feel strongly about it and make suggestions if you have any.

It is incumbent on each citizen to play their roles — take them seriously — and become an active citizen in a democratic SA which encourages participation.

Those wanting to comment on the name changes can do so at presidentrsa@presidency.gov.za as well as rofhiwam@dac.gov.za, leonahs@dac.gov.za and mark.mandita@ecsrac.gov.za