The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal has rejected the recent pronouncement by the ANC chairperson in Sisonke, Mluleki Ndobe, that Ingwe Municipality and KwaSani Municipality will be amalgamated and now form one municipality called Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Municipality.
“The IFP is concerned that the ruling party is giving prominence to ANC-affiliated politicians above all other role players involved in the struggle for liberation. We see the renaming process as a deliberate attempt to rewrite the history of this province and country. We had a bitter experience at Mvoti where the name of our leader was changed and again when the ANC tried to change the name of Mangosuthu Highway,” said IFP Leader in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala,MPL.
“In 2008, it was argued that Mangosuthu Highway should be renamed on the basis that its namesake, IFP President Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, is a living person. We question ourselves as to why the ANC now decides to name a municipality after someone who is also a living person? The ANC also changed Sisonke District Municipality to Harry Gwala District Municipality which we questioned on the grounds that he was not from Sisonke but Pietermaritzburg,” continued Mr Gwala.
“The IFP therefore demands that the ruling party in the Sisonke District show respect to taxpayers when contemplating costly and often controversial projects such as renaming of buildings and places. Name changing is a matter of public interest and proper consultation must be conducted. It is essential that matters of this nature enjoy full canvassing so that the people who live in Sisonke may take ownership of the final decision and feel satisfied that the name celebrates their own heritage. No one should have the authority to foist on people their own perspective of our country’s history,” concluded Mr Gwala.
The IFP calls on the ANC to rather provide people with water and other basic services before spending money on the name change.
