Name change debate hots up
AfriForum and Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan have challenged one another to do their homework about Afrikaans place names being targeted for name changes.
In their latest exchange of open correspondence, AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel wrote: "I think your ministry would benefit from having another look at the town and city names which have already been changed are being subjected to this process at present: Pietersburg, Louis Trichardt, Potgietersrus, Nylstroom, Warmbad, Ellisras, Duiwelskloof, Lydenburg, Pretoria, Potchefstroom and many more."
Jordan had advised AfriForum to "be a little more cautious about allegations that Afrikaans place names have been singled out".
"I doubt that you have done exhaustive research on the matter... I can assure you that inspection of name changes will demonstrate that your allegation is unfounded."
Jordan has questioned why he should need to consult AfriForm’s board of 13 academics, as AfriForum has requested, threatening legal action should the government not do so.
The academics should rather have offered themselves to the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), he said.
Jordan said the council was made up of a number of experts drawn from civil society, including academics.
However, he said he was prepared to meet with them, "but solely in their capacity as South African citizens, who have a right to approach their government on matters that concern them."
AfriForum said it believed that the final responsibility to ensure that flawed named-changing processes were not approved, rested with Jordan’s ministry, and not the council as the minister had suggested.
"AfriForum charged that its efforts to persuade the SAGNC to allow public participation, specifically about the name of Pretoria, had simply been ignored," said Kriel.
"The most significant example in this regard is that my request to be allowed to make a representation in person to the SAGNC’s meeting in Bloemfontein in May 2005 - where the decision was made to recommend that Pretoria’s name has to be changed - was rejected
by the former chairperson of SAGNC, Advocate Tommy Ntsewa."
AfriForum has claimed that the registration of Tshwane as a place name did not follow correct procedures.
He said Ntsewa had acted in breach of regulations by having been both a participant and an arbitrator in the process.
Earlier this week AfriForum, which was born out of the trade union Solidarity, threatened legal action if the government refused to meet its panel of academics.
Sapa Read more
In their latest exchange of open correspondence, AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel wrote: "I think your ministry would benefit from having another look at the town and city names which have already been changed are being subjected to this process at present: Pietersburg, Louis Trichardt, Potgietersrus, Nylstroom, Warmbad, Ellisras, Duiwelskloof, Lydenburg, Pretoria, Potchefstroom and many more."
Jordan had advised AfriForum to "be a little more cautious about allegations that Afrikaans place names have been singled out".
"I doubt that you have done exhaustive research on the matter... I can assure you that inspection of name changes will demonstrate that your allegation is unfounded."
Jordan has questioned why he should need to consult AfriForm’s board of 13 academics, as AfriForum has requested, threatening legal action should the government not do so.
The academics should rather have offered themselves to the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), he said.
Jordan said the council was made up of a number of experts drawn from civil society, including academics.
However, he said he was prepared to meet with them, "but solely in their capacity as South African citizens, who have a right to approach their government on matters that concern them."
AfriForum said it believed that the final responsibility to ensure that flawed named-changing processes were not approved, rested with Jordan’s ministry, and not the council as the minister had suggested.
"AfriForum charged that its efforts to persuade the SAGNC to allow public participation, specifically about the name of Pretoria, had simply been ignored," said Kriel.
"The most significant example in this regard is that my request to be allowed to make a representation in person to the SAGNC’s meeting in Bloemfontein in May 2005 - where the decision was made to recommend that Pretoria’s name has to be changed - was rejected
by the former chairperson of SAGNC, Advocate Tommy Ntsewa."
AfriForum has claimed that the registration of Tshwane as a place name did not follow correct procedures.
He said Ntsewa had acted in breach of regulations by having been both a participant and an arbitrator in the process.
Earlier this week AfriForum, which was born out of the trade union Solidarity, threatened legal action if the government refused to meet its panel of academics.
Sapa Read more
posted by Jopie Fourie at 7:35 AM
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