Name changes in SA

As part of a reconciliatory process, the government in consultation with "people" agreed on renaming some of the historic monumental structures and streets to names that highlight and embrace the currrent change. I personally see this as a reverse of what the Apartheid regime advocated for - recognition of the minority. What inspires the criterion used to allocate a name to a street, monument, or place?

During Apartheid, almost every town in SA has to have a Voortrekker and other Afrikaner Apartheid architects (Verwoerd, Malan, Botha, etc.) street names, which seem synonymous to the current trend by the ruling party - ANC. There seem to be an overuse of the name Nelson Mandela - not undermining the momentous contribution the struggle icon has made to the emancipation of SA. There is Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Nelson Mandela Metro University, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Nelson Mandela Stadium, Nelson Mandela Squatter Camp, Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Nelson Mandela Lecture, and Nelson Mandela drive in almost every town. Let the names of statesmen be used in Capital cities mostly, and not just a repetition of one icon. Most of the changes of great monuments are almost always named after ANC cadres, neglecting the contributions made by other political organisations. The tussle in KZN where the ANC intending to change Mangosuthu Highway to another ANC stalward.

Street and town names should be accorded bonafide citizens and/or struggle heroes of respective towns or townships, thus enabling the community to relate to and embrace the effected changes. There is a sudden buzz to rename a street in SA after Yasser Arafat - What contribution has he made towards the advancement of this country? What qualifies him to such honour? Name changing should also not be politically inclined, to alleviate continuous changes if there is a political change in governance of the country.

The cost of Geographical name changing in SA, with majority living in adverse poverty, is excrutiatingly expensive; taking into cognisance updating all logistical areas (maps; road posts; GPRS; GIS,: Navigation systems; etc.). What is the point of embarking on a massive name changes whilst people are starving, dropping out of school and unemployed. Change is appreciated but let it not be subjective and honour only people who are affiliate of a certain group.

Let's rewrite history by bestowing honour to the unsung heroes in our towns and townships...