The region incorporates Ixopo, Kokstad, Creighton, Himeville and Umzimkhulu.

According to regional secretary Amon Zondi the budget for the renaming had escalated from R250,000 last year to R1.3-million.

But, said Zondi, the budget would not only go to renaming the district, but would also pay for the renaming of halls, roads and other municipal buildings in five municipalities under the district.

"The ANC transformed this country and we want to make sure the names of buildings, roads, halls and the (district) municipality reflect this," Zondi said.

He said the renaming ceremony was expected to take place in September.

Zondi claimed that the renaming proposal had elicited little opposition from the people of the district.

"A few people complained about the name change, while others said they did not care about the name change. Most people want the district to be renamed," Zondi said.

But the Democratic Alliance in the municipality said there had not been any consultation on the renaming.

"We are totally opposed to this and this is a decision taken at national level by the DA. There has not been consultations at all on the matter and the local municipalities (under the district) have not even been informed about it," Sisonke district DA caucus leader Francios Rodgers said.

He added that the DA was also opposed to any expenditure related to the renaming.

IFP chairman in the district, Dumile Ngcamu, said that they were also opposed to the renaming.

"The ANC should first provide people with water and other basic services before spending money on the name change. Even after that we would not support expenditure on it unless it's at no cost to the ratepayers," said Ngcamu.

ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said the party supported the renaming initiative. He said it was to restore the legacy of the ANC's revolution.

"Comrade Harry Gwala was a well-known leader who fought for freedom in this country," said Zikalala.

Comments

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Wed Jun 19 22:03:59 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 7, 2012

MommaC

A rose by any other name?
I'm pretty sure old Harry would have been more impressed if the place didn't look like a neglected gutter.
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Jun 7, 2012

Bra_NeatDick

Heyi maaaaannnn, the strugle stelwarts deserve every cent spent on their name maaan. even that money would have never bought us freedom but these guys sacrificed their lives. Their memories must live on maaaan nxa. away with this nonsense of service delivery this service delivery that. 18 yrs of Democracy is too short.
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Jun 7, 2012

S1nude1ty

Bra_NeatDick - "away with this nonsense of service delivery this service delivery that. 18 yrs of Democracy is too short"

Especially since progress is going backwards and not forwards. But anyways, whats a million between cadres? 5 RDP houses, 50 varsity payments, 500 grocery bags.
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Jun 7, 2012

Catswhiskers

Its amazing how quickly the municipality can rename streets - literally overnight in Pretoria. But ask them to keep the pavements clean - takes months. Sometimes the weeds in Rossouw Street are higher than people!
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Jun 7, 2012

eisleben

Pass me that sick back.
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Jun 7, 2012

WarrenG

Why do we always have to name places/streets etc after people? Why don't we just name places by words that pertain to everyone and are positive? Like call this place... Sunlight...positive and effective.
Someones pocketing this $$$, cos 1.3 mil to change a name...I'll get it done for R50 000!
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Jun 7, 2012

TKay

Enough about this renaming...let us concerntrate on the most pressing issues at hand. Basic needs of communities have not been met yet, schools have no study materials, people are in need water, electricity and houses - and one municipality is spending R1.3m on the ceremony, our municipalities are run by puppets
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Jun 7, 2012

mambaaai

these guys so busy with useless stuff..... ok so the sign makers make a lot of money....this money could have ben better spent.... same like the court case money for a stupid e toll system...same like money on a silly d1ck summit, the list goes on..... its just so stupid when we have real problems that need sorting FIRST.... like people drinking water with cattle, or buying land for distribution, or building and fixing roads,
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Jun 7, 2012

rasefatee

what is the benefit of remaning the streets when there is no service delivery in the area no water and electricity,stinking gabage everywhere high unemployment rate people drinking water with domestic animals and check who will be given this corrupt tender only ANC comrates nxaaa
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Jun 7, 2012

TDK

Complete waste of money. Each street must be named or renamed by people living in it.
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