The Gauteng Geographical Names Committee (GGNC) wants the province’s residents to suggest new names for streets, rivers, and settlements.
But there are rules to be followed. GGNC chairperson Dr Mandla Mathebula explained them at a well-attended public awareness meeting on Wednesday at the Halala community hall in Soshanguve Block H.
“People must avoid naming the features with the names of living persons, although we do accept some under extraordinary circumstances,” he said.
And, as a practical measure, “they must also avoid using names that are too long that will be very difficult to engrave, even on signboards”.
“It is important to name these geographical features because the naming process is about standardisation so that there are formal names that people should use on maps, Google maps and signboards.”
A process must be followed in registering, correcting, naming and renaming geographical features such as streets, rivers and settlements.
It is important to engage in this process. He said that the GGNC wants people to have a formal, standard name for features so that everything is clear. Mathebula wants names that can be spelt correctly, are not corrupted, and are accepted by broader society.
Tshwane councillor Hluphi Gafane said the initiative highlights the heritage of Tshwane, its cultures, different backgrounds, and languages.
“This helps us to connect and to interact with residents. As the government, we cannot always be doing things ourselves; we need to communicate with the communities and see how they would prefer things done in their places of residence.
“As a young person, I believe in action and being on the ground. Communicating with people is very important so we can hear all their issues and how they prefer them to be solved.”
Councillor Rose Sethole said she is pleased this awareness was finally brought into the community.
“I am happy to see the number of the residents this huge in this hall. It shows that people care about their community and they are willing to form part of things that will take this community forward,” she said.
“I hope this will not be the last time we have sessions of awareness like this. We have many geographical features that have yet to be named. We will work together as a community to make this a successful mission so we can leave a historical legacy for more generations to come.”
Pictured above: Soshanguve residents in Halala community hall.
