Renaming William Nicol Drive: JHB mayor encourages public weigh-in

City of Johannesburg residents have been urged to take part in the process to rename one of the busiest roads in the province – William Nicol Drive, to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Drive.

If you’re keen to give your take on the rename, the official process begins on Monday, 29 March 2021 and will run until Freedom Day which is 27 April 2021.

City of Johannesburg mayor Geoffrey Makhubo has called on residents and other critical stakeholders, to make their voices heard.

“We encourage residents and all affected parties to share their comments or representations on the renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Drive. After our struggle icon and mother of the nation,” Makhubo.

The City announced on 26 September 2020, which would have been Madikizela-Mandela’s 84th birthday, saying this was to symbolise the contribution she made during the country’s fight for freedom.

William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive – here’s how you can participate

Whether you’re for or against the renaming, the City of Joburg has advised that those seeking to comment on the rename to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Drive can write to the Arts and Culture Heritage Office. The address is: 2 Helen Joseph Street, Johannesburg Newtown Building.

The City said it will consider all comments submitted before making a final decision. Madikizela-Mandela, former wife of fellow struggle veteran Nelson Mandela, died in 2018 at age 81.

“Names carry history. They say something about those whose contributions are deemed worthy of a public and multigenerational memory. These are by their very nature contentious and that is why they must always be treated with the sensitivity they deserve,” Makhubo further said.

“This renaming of one of the City’s iconic landmarks is a result of council’s commitment to social transformation and cohesion. It symbolises the immeasurable commitment of Mama Winnie to the struggle for humanity and liberation of our country”

City of Johannesburg mayor Geoffrey Makhubo

William Nicol, the bearer of the current name was a prominent leader during the apartheid years. Nicol was the chairperson for the Afrikaner Broederband, a male-only organisation that sought to preserve their heritage. Nicol became the governor of Transvaal in 1948, serving 10 years in the position.

He was considered a strong opponent of apartheid’s Bantu Education programme. He was a staunch believer in teaching all South Africans in their mother tongue, with English being treated as a second language so everyone could communicate. The road in Johannesburg was named after him, because he oversaw most of its development.