Transport minister Fikile Mbalula says that his department is currently considering a report on the renaming of the country’s airports.<\/p>\n
Responding in a written parliamentary Q&A, Mbalula said that the report includes the outcome of public submissions with respect to the renaming of Cape Town International Airport.<\/p>\n
He said that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has also embarked on a project to rename East London Airport, Port Elizabeth International Airport and Kimberley Airport.<\/p>\n
“This is in line with the South African Geographical Names Council Act and is part of the Transformation of Heritage Landscape Government Programme.<\/p>\n
“According to the act, the Minister of Arts and Culture is responsible for the approval of geographical names after receiving recommendations from the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC).”<\/p>\n
The SAGNC is responsible for geographical features of national concern including, but not limited to, towns\/cities, suburbs and any form of human settlement, post offices, stations, highways, airports and government dams.<\/p>\n
The council is also responsible for natural landforms like mountains, hills, rivers, streams, bays, headlands and islands.<\/p>\n
Mbalula said that ACSA appointed an independent public participation consultant to facilitate a transparent public participation process.<\/p>\n
“A report outlining the methodology undertaken in ensuring a transparent public participation process, as well as the outcome of proposals, has been submitted to the Department of Transport and is being considered by the department.”<\/p>\n
Mbalula said that the report considers a number of issues, including:<\/p>\n
“The report also include the process of renaming East London Airport, Port Elizabeth International Airport and Kimberley Airport, which is facilitated by provinces and municipalities,” he said.<\/p>\n
King Phalo Airport<\/strong><\/p>\n The Eastern Cape government is currently considering<\/a> <\/strong>an official name change for several towns in the province as part of a programme aimed at transforming the country\u2019s geographic landscape to be more representative of its people.<\/p>\n The major metropolitan of East London has been identified as one of the towns which could see a change, with\u00a0KuGompo<\/strong>\u00a0provided as an alternate name.<\/p>\n Other proposed changes include:<\/p>\n The opposition Democratic Alliance said that it would oppose the \u2018frivolous\u2019 name changes in the Buffalo City Metropolitan.<\/p>\n \u201cRenaming these Buffalo City Metro towns and the airport will not increase tourism, boost investment, improve service delivery, create employment or eradicate the problems residents face on a daily basis,\u201d said the DA\u2019s Chantel King.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead of spending millions on new signage, the money should be used to improve the lives of the people of the Buffalo City Metro.\u201d<\/p>\n Residents have been given 21 days to oppose or comment on the renaming of the three towns and the airport. The deadline for submissions to the Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture is 21 September.<\/p>\n\n