These 44 roads in Ekurhuleni are getting a name change – what you need to know

The City of Ekurhuleni is making 44 name changes to roads in the metro, among other renaming efforts for theatres, clinics and precincts.
The name changes were first proposed in February 2019 and approved by the city council in September of the same year. The office of the executive mayor confirmed that the replacement of the physical signage for the roads is now taking place and will be an ongoing project.
In a statement on Tuesday (12 October), the city said that the names change form part of a two-year process undertaken by the African National Congress (ANC) led coalition in Ekurhuleni, which included extensive public consultation and numerous legislative approvals.
Among the high profile name changes are:
- Gillooly’s Interchange (N12) which will now be known as George Bizos Interchange;
- Van Buuren (N3) which will now be known as Thabo Mbeki Road;
- Ollifantsfontein (R562) which will now be known as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Drive;
- Alberton (N12/N17) will be renamed Chris Hani Road.
“The overarching objective of the ANC is to build a national democratic society that recognises and celebrates the heroes and heroines of South Africa who embody the ideals of social justice and equality,” said Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina.
“Street names and the names of landmarks symbolise the identity and character of our city. Critics may accuse the city of wasting public funds with the name changes. However, we believe, with great conviction, that future generations of South Africans must grow up in an inclusive environment that celebrates the best of humanity and recognises personal sacrifice in the name of justice as an epithet for remembrance.”
The full list of name changes can be found below.
Current name | To be renamed as |
---|---|
Kingsway Library | Lawrence Bongani Sibanyoni Library |
Villa Liza Clinic | Chris Hani Clinic |
New Germiston Theatre | Dumi Masilela Theatre |
The Springs Fresh Produce Market | Ekurhuleni Fresh Produce Market |
The Vooslorus Cemetery | Isaac Scoot Nyashego |
Springs Theatre | Ken Gampu Theatre |
New Tsakane Library | Mpho Rahab Molepo Library |
Germiston Government Precinct | OR Tambo Government Precinct |
R59 (N12) | Abram Moroe |
Tom Jones Road (N12) | Amina Cachalia |
Voortrekker Road (Kempton Park – R21) | Amon Ngulele |
M2/Germiston – Geldenhuys Interchange (N3) | Bavumile Vilakazi |
Alberton (N12/N17) | Chris Hani |
Rietfontein Road (N12) | Chris Dlamini |
Putfontein Road (N12) | Cleoupas Nsibanda |
Tonk Meter Road (N17) | Congress Skhumbuzo Mtsweni |
Heidelberg Road | David Bopape |
Swaartkoppies Road (R59/Alberton South) | Ali Maziya |
Leondale/Spruitview(N3) | Elliot Sogoni |
Rand Airport | Fanyana Banda |
Gilloolys Interchange (N12) | George Bizos |
Barry Marais (N3) | George Makhubela |
Exit Route: Heidelberg Road | Grace Flathela |
Osborne Road (N17) | Johnson Nonjeke |
Griffiths Road (R21) | Joseph Tate Kagarose |
Denne Road/Goods Road | Kunyamane Ranyaoa |
Barbara Road (R24) | Lazarus Mawela |
Linksfield Road (N3) | Lethabo Malatjie |
Edenvale (N12) | Lungile Mtshali |
Edenvale (R24)/Van Riebeeck | Lungile Mtshali |
Ergo Road (N17)/Eleventh Road | Margaret Gazo |
Snake Road (N12) | Mary Moodley |
Michelle Ave – Meyersdal (R59/Alberton South) | Nelson Mandela |
Nigel Road (N17)/Wit Road | Ngungunyane Mashabane |
Kraft Road (N12) | Ntemi Ncwane |
Etwatwa (N12) | Oscar Mabika |
Alberton (N3) | Paul Sehlogo |
Atlas Road (N12) | Solomon Jefferson Mahlangu |
Pomona (R21) | Petrus “Chilly” Magagula S32 |
Jones Road (R21/R24) | Walter Sisulu |
Daveyton (Kingsway Road) (N12) | Richard Mhlongo |
Holfontein/Pansy Road (N12) | Salvation Motshweni |
Kliprivier R550 (R59/Alberton South) | Sam Ntuli |
Wits Rifles Road (N17) | Sam Sidu |
Bronkhorspruit Road (R25 /R21) | Sarah Mnyele |
Atlas Road (R21) | Solomon Jefferson Mahlangu |
Jet Park Road (N12) | Sthembiso Clarence Lukhele |
Van Buuren (N3) | Thabo Mbeki |
Rondebult (Boksburg) | Thomas Nkobi |
Grey Avenue (N3) | Vuyisile Bixa |
Benoni Road (R21/R23) | Willie Oupa Lukhele |
R562 Olifantsfontein | Winnie Madikizela-Mandela |
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