Call for consultation on street renaming

GUGULETHU residents have called on the City of Cape Town to consult them when it starts with the process of renaming the township's streets.

Early this week the city said it would consider whether to rename Gugulethu's "NY" streets in the new year.

The call to rename the streets was initiated under former ANC mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo because the reference to the streets as NY's (which stood for Native Yard) is offensive.

The city then wanted to rename NY1 as Amy Biehl Avenue after the American exchange student who was killed by PAC members in 1993. There is also a proposal to rename NY1 as "Steve Biko Drive" - after slain black consciousness leader Steve Biko.

Yesterday Sowetan conducted a vox pop to gauge people's feelings about the renaming of streets. Those interviewed said the city should consult with residents first.

Resident Ntombomzi Ncivathe said she was in favour of the street name changes.

"They (NYs) must be changed because they are offensive to black people. (But) I don't think NY1 should be named after Biehl."

Ncivathe also rejected "Steve Biko Drive", saying "many streets or facilities throughout the country have been named after Biko".

Ncivathe suggested that the street be named after a community leader or anti-apartheid struggle activist from Gugulethu.

Another resident, Mzamo Sidelo, accused the city of dividing residents by proposing that NY1 be named after Biko. He, however, supported the idea of naming the street "Amy Biehl".

Sidelo said the street would be viewed as a "monument" because of the 1993 incident and the fact that Biehl had done community work in the area.

Kholeka Nyongo supported " Steve Biko Drive".