From Brandfort to Winnie Mandela: DA OPPOSES town name change

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State is not pleased with the Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s decision to rename the town of Brandfort to Winnie Mandela.

Mthetwa gazetted the name on Friday, 6 August 2021.

The struggle stalwart died in 2018 and was married to former president Nelson Mandela until their divorce in 1996. The City of Johannesburg is already in the process of renaming William Nicol, one of the province’s busiest roads, after Madikizela-Mandela.

There’s significance to renaming Brandfort after Madikizela-Mandela. In 1977, the apartheid government banished Madikizela-Mandela to the town. She stayed at house number 802 in Majemasweu township. The town is over 340km from Johannesburg and was also home to former prime minister Hendrik Verwoed.

Brandfort renamed Winnie Mandela

The DA’s Masilonyana Municipality Councillor Mariet Visser claims the proper processes were not followed in changing Brandfort to Winnie Mandela. Visser added that the municipality can also not afford it.

“Public participation and other processes were not followed. Financial implications were not budgeted for. Masilonyana can hardly afford additional non-essential expenditures. The local government needs to realise that communities have a right to decide on matters in their own towns,” she said.

“The DA will lodge a petition to assist residents who want to comment on the name change to do so within the prescribed period in terms of the South African geographical names council. Written questions will also be written to the minister to establish what processes if any was followed during the processes”

Masilonyana Municipality Councillor Mariet Visser

The minister said the name change was one of many ways the department was honouring the struggle stalwart.

“This name change is just one of the ways that the department is honouring Madikizela-Mandela’s legacy. As we approach Women’s Day, It is pivotal that our geographical names reflect the history of such icons,” Mthethwa said.