The Council adopted a policy more than four years ago that sets out clear rules for proposals to rename not only streets, but also "public places, natural areas and Council-owned buildings, facilities and artefacts".
Councillor Owen Kinahan, a co-author of the policy, said: "Early next week advertisements will be placed inviting nominations to the panel of experts. The policy calls for experience or expertise in history, culture, linguistics, town planning, onomastics, toponomy, reconciliation and religion and provides for a pool of 15 members who will receive suggestions from the public and advise the Council accordingly. The panel also has to be representative of the demographic and cultural composition of Cape Town".
He said the policy was designed to involve the citizens of Cape Town as much as possible and to avoid the top down and heavy-handed approach in many other parts of the country. "This city belongs to its citizens, not its politicians. I believe that our policy can be instructive to many other cities and provinces".
Within a fortnight the public will be invited to submit detailed suggestions about any name changes in the city. The window period for submissions and the procedure will be clearly spelled out in a widely advertised process. No late submissions will be accepted.
Once the panel has made its recommendations to Council, the proposed changes will be advertised for public comment before Council takes the final decision.
This process will culminate in September to coincide with Heritage month.
Issued by:
Communication and Marketing
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023
Councillor Owen Kinahan
Chairperson - Protea Subcouncil
Tel: 021 794 2493
Cell: 083 261 7484
