Cope has called on Sol Plaatje Municipality to immediately retract the name assigned to the housing settlement near Roodepan, which is part of a R1 billion mega housing project, citing the lack of public participation in the naming process.
COPE has called for Sol Plaatje Municipality to immediately withdraw the name that was given to the housing settlement near Roodepan that forms part of a R1 billion mega housing project, as there was no public participation.
The township was named Ngoako Modiba extension, which acting Cope chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi believed was imposed without any consultation.
“The name does not resonate with the shared history, heritage or identity of the community. No public participation consultation took place in naming the settlement, while it does not comply with the South African Geographical Names Council guidelines,” said Dikgetsi.
He indicated that Ngoako Modiba was a deceased Sol Plaatje municipal employee who came from and was buried in Limpopo.
“Many employees have died without being honoured.”
Meanwhile, another city resident pointed out that the municipality was spoilt for choice in naming the settlement after a host of fallen heroes who died in the line of duty.
“What about the Homevale wastewater treatment plant workers who drowned in rising sludge in 2012, the electrical workers who died after sub-stations exploded or the 51 employees who died during the Saulspoort Dam accident in 2003?
“Why were the names of local dignitaries such as ANC stalwart Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Constitutional Court Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, Dr Faith Matlaopane, Professor ZK Matthews, Judy Scott, Charlie Weir, Hutshe Segolodi, Tommy Morebudi and defensive midfielder Jacob “Pro” Pilane not considered?”
He believed that it would be appropriate to name the settlement after a woman or patriot who made an outstanding contribution towards sport, liberation, law, music or education.
The spokesperson for the Office of the Mayor, Keobakile Musunse, said the office was still engaging on the matter.
“We will respond at an appropriate time,” Musunse said.
