Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

The ANC-led eThekwini metropolitan municipality may not rename streets and institutions after all should the current consultation process indicate that the public is opposed to the idea.

Sipho Cele, head of governance in the municipality, said they had received more than 10000 submissions from the public regarding the name changes.

"If most of the residents are against the changes, we won't continue because we can't act against the will of the people," he said.

The IFP announced yesterday it was preparing for another big demonstration against the municipality for failing to respond to its memorandum within the seven-day deadline.

Last week, the IFP held a chaotic protest march against the proposed name-change of Mangosuthu Highway and Mangosuthu Technikon in Umlazi.

It had been proposed the highway be named after Griffiths Mxenge and the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu after Dumisani Makhaye, both late ANC stalwarts.

The IFP said it had no objection to proposed name changes in general, but opposed renaming the highway and stadium.

"We marched to give them the memorandum and we will march again to demand a response," said Thembi Nzuza, IFP caucus leader in the municipality.

Nzuza said they had received a call from the office of Minister of Provincial and Local Government, Sydney Mufamadi, to set up a meeting.

Last week, Themba Maseko, the government's spokesman announced that Mufamadi and Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan had been asked to help defuse tensions caused by the proposed name changes.

The IFP has accused the ANC of trying to rewrite the history of the province by wiping out the IFP's role in the liberation of the country.

During last week's march, Musa Zondi, pictured, the IFP's secretary-general warned of a bloodbath should the name changes be implemented.

"Let them try and change the name of Mangosuthu Highway and the technikon. They will see who we are.

"Maybe they have forgotten where were come from," he said.