Question NW135 to the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
12 August 2024 - NW135
Mogale, Mr T to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
1. What (a) actions will he undertake to fast-track name changes across the Republic and (b) what are his intentions regarding statues of colonial and apartheid leaders which are still publicly displayed. 2. Whether the Minister will consider introducing a Bill giving him powers to institute name change processes and not rely on municipalities to facilitate the process of name changes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. NW150E
Reply:
1(a). The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) working together with the Provincial Geographical Names Committees (PGNCs) has been embarking on an ongoing public awareness campaign on the need to transform the geographical names landscape.
It will continue with this process and is currently planning to conduct national awareness using both national broadcasting and social media platforms.
(b). Following National Consultation across the nine provinces, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture appointed a Ministerial Task Team to advise on the transformation of South Africa’s heritage landscape in the 2017/2018 financial year.
- The Ministerial Task Team produced a report with recommendations.
- The report was tabled to Cabinet for endorsement 2020/2021.
As part of implementation of the recommendations, the Department through the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) conducted a national audit of all statues in South Africa in the 2021/2022 financial year. The process for the relocation and repositioning of the symbols and statues was to be guided by National Heritage Resources Act. No. 25 of 1999.
However, the National Treasury declined the Department’s request for the budget allocation regarding the relocation, repositioning and curation into Regional Cultural Nation Building Parks of statues and monuments not in line with the values and spirit of the constitution.
Once the budget is made available, SAHRA together with Provincial Heritage Resources Authorities and local authorities and guided by National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) will ensure stakeholder involvement and public consultation with all the relevant and interested parties in the relocation, repositioning and curation into Regional Cultural Nation Building Parks of statues.
2. The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) Act No. 118 of 1998, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) Act No. 3 of 2000, and the United Nations Resolutions on geographical names stress on public involvement/inclusion concerning the standardization of geographical names.
All members of the public, especially those who have been historically marginalised have the right to have their voices heard in the transformation of geographical names. Communities must identity/support the new names where old names are being replaced. Municipalities facilitate public consultations.
Thus, it is crucial for the Minister to rely on the involvement of both municipalities and the public.