The City of Joburg’s political management committee (PMC) decided to stop the renaming of the Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled so that members could reach a consensus. This PMC comprises all political parties in the ANC-led local government. The City of Joburg should never entertain futile motions like this one which does not seek to change the material conditions of its residents. The city’s focus should be on improving its financial health by increasing its collection of debt and revenue, and improving its water resource management.
The attempts to change the name from Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled, a controversial Palestinian figure who is linked to violent extremism, hijackings, and attacks targeting not only Jews but also Christians and the broader public, were approved in 2018 by the City Council through the tripartite involvement of Al-Jama-ah, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC). Al-Jama-ah has strategically used coalition politics to advance its agenda against Israel instead of making positive contributions to residents of the city. This might be because it has nothing to offer, as we have seen when there are two different mayors whose sole focus has been Israel from the onset.
This move to halt the renaming of Sandton Drive is a victory for democracy for the entire city. It goes down to demonstrate that superior logic can win in political and electoral dominance, as we have seen in this case. Flouting the processes by disregarding adequate public participation in the failed attempt to change the name of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled was a red flag. The people should decide on what they want as a society and policies cannot be imposed willy-nilly on them by the political elite.
There were 30,000 submissions filed against the attempted renaming of Sandton Drive. It does not make sense to be focused on changing to a name that does not have any direct link to either colonialism, slavery or apartheid in South Africa. Changing names to represent or correct the history of a certain group of people is important for all nations around the world, but using street names to create divisions and hatred amongst the people is reckless and irresponsible behaviour by some leaders.
The City of Joburg is a cosmopolitan capital, with diverse races and classes and people from all walks of life who are here for various reasons. It does not make sense that we should pick up the most divisive geopolitical conflict between Israel and Palestine and use it to further polarise our own country. South Africa is seen by many as a good example of a reconciliation project given its history of colonialism and apartheid rule. Some demagogues are perpetuating divisions to bolster their public image and popularity. This does not either help the residents of Joburg or offer any viable solution to the longstanding Israel-Palestine political and security impasse.
It is a widely known fact that the Israel-Political impasse has been used by politicians around the world to seek political relevance and increase their electoral showing. This case is no different. Here, this conflict is not only used to seek political relevance for individual politicians. It is mostly used to provoke the US, which is seen as the biggest supporter of the state of Israel. Politicians have strategically chosen Sandton Drive because that is where the US consulate is situated, and the name they have chosen is also quite strategic because the intention is to further provoke the US and the State of Israel by extension.
The attempt to rename Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled could have undermined the City of Johannesburg’s cultural, social, and political heritage. That is because there is no direct meaningful link between Khaled and the City of Joburg and South Africa. If it were to be renamed after a particular figure, it should be renamed after somebody with a direct and meaningful link to Johannesburg. South Africa is not short of heroes and heroines who contributed to the development of the city or South Africa and who may deserve to be honoured.
The city has a lot of pressing issues such as unemployment, violent crime, and poor service delivery. It should be prioritising those rather than distracting attention with irrelevant issues with no material benefit to its residents.
The city’s policy clearly states that the renaming of public places or monuments should strictly honour exceptional individuals who have played a significant role in the growth of the city or the country. Such decisions are not to be taken lightly. So, how has Leila Khaled, in this case, contributed to the advancement of Joburg or South Africa? Does she fit the description of an “outstanding individual” as outlined by the city’s guidelines?
Bringing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into Johannesburg’s politics risks dividing an already diverse population, and potentially igniting tensions that could harm both the economy and social cohesion. There is no doubt that Joburg is a cosmopolitan city, and its political leadership should aim to unify, not fragment, its people.
The decision by the city’s council to halt the renaming of Sandton Drive is a victory for democracy and the whole of South Africa. It is also a historical lesson for other municipalities or arms of government not to overlook their heroes and heroines while embracing outside people with no contribution to our history and development. As they say, charity begins at home. The city should prioritise and honour its residents by providing quality service delivery to all its residents across the city and stop diverting attention from real issues.
The views of the writer are not necessarily the views of the Daily Friend or the IRR.
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