Joburg Multiparty Coalition Divided on Sandton Drive Renaming Proposal
Key players in the Joburg multiparty coalition clash over the proposal to rename Sandton Drive, with ActionSA opposing the move while the ANC and EFF support it.
Sandton Drive Controversy: Joburg Coalition Faces Division Over Name Change
The proposal to rename Sandton Drive has sparked significant division within the Joburg multiparty coalition, highlighting differing priorities among key players. ActionSA stands firmly against the renaming, arguing that the current name serves as a unifying symbol for the community.
In contrast, the ANC and EFF have suggested renaming the road in honor of Leila Khaled, a prominent figure in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. ActionSA’s Gauteng chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, has emphasized that this issue is neither urgent nor necessary, signaling the party’s readiness to contest the proposal when it reaches the council.
Ngobeni insists that Sandton Drive’s name is apt for Johannesburg’s diverse and international society. While recognizing the importance of honoring the city’s history through renaming public landmarks, he argues that more pressing issues, such as service delivery failures, should take precedence.
The city grapples with severe challenges, including water shortages, unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure. With 81,000 streetlights reported non-operational and at least 1,000 potholes reported weekly, Ngobeni believes that diverting resources to a name change demonstrates a tone-deaf administration.
As ActionSA vows to lobby against the proposal, they emphasize their commitment to addressing the urgent needs of Johannesburg residents over what they perceive as symbolic politics
