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Johannesburg Halts Controversial Renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Avenue

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Picture: Africa 4 Palenstine

The City of Johannesburg has put the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive after Palestinian activist Leila Khaled on hold. This decision follows heated debates among political parties and civic organisations, with opposition citing concerns over public participation and service delivery priorities.

Renaming Process Faces Political Resistance

ActionSA announced that the city’s political management committee (PMC), which includes all parties in the ANC-led coalition, agreed to pause the renaming process to allow for broader consensus. The move was initially approved in 2018 by the city council, backed by Al Jama-ah, the EFF, and the ANC.

ActionSA Gauteng chairperson Funzi Ngobeni and DA Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams welcomed the decision, arguing that renaming efforts should focus on honouring South African heroes rather than international figures. Williams highlighted that over 5,500 objections were lodged against the renaming, questioning the legitimacy of the reported 60,000 public submissions in support.

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Criticism Over Service Delivery Priorities

Ngobeni and Williams criticised the city’s governance, calling for a shift in focus towards pressing issues such as water shortages, potholes, and infrastructure deterioration. Ngobeni accused the local government of using street renaming as a distraction from declining service delivery under Mayor Dada Morero’s leadership.

“The city needs to start fixing potholes and stop playing cheap politics,” said Ngobeni.

Despite the backlash, the metro defended the proposed renaming, stating it aimed to strengthen diplomatic ties with Palestine, even though the US Consulate is located in the area.

Future of the Renaming Proposal

While ActionSA has voiced strong opposition, Ngobeni stated the party would not support a motion by the Freedom Front Plus to rescind the renaming decision until broader political consensus is reached.

For now, the fate of Sandton Drive’s name remains uncertain, as the city grapples with public dissent and competing political interests.