A name is just a name they say. It is just another way to refer to a place or somebody. After all – what can be in a name?
But when changing names starts costing money, one should think twice, should you not?
Especially when this money could have been spent wisely to fight poverty, to build houses, to feed the hungry, to clothe the destitute, to pay for schooling for the less fortunate. Then local government should start to think twice about their agendas and their drive to change the names of the street, main roads, intersections and so forth.
They should start thinking twice about why try so hard to keep the past alive that even a simple name like Michelle Avenue, for instance, needs to change.
Who did this Michelle ever offend? Do they even know who this Michelle was?
Why are they changing names for the sake of changing names? What point are they trying to proof?
Why can they not use this money to build much-needed shelters for the homeless, battered and abused women and children, abandoned babies, build homes for those living in shacks – surely these sort of things should be priority.
After all, this is what part of our rates and taxes and the taxes we pay to SARS should be utilised for. For better service and upliftment of our communities, to eradicate poverty, to develop communities and create job opportunities, to maintain roads – not to change street names because you don’t like it or because it is part of the history of the country.
Why can they not use this money to assist the already struggling NPOs in each of the Ekurhuleni towns to keep their doors open?
Especially when these NPOs are doing the work government should be doing. These NPOs are feeding the poor; they are trying to create employment for the unemployed.
They are fighting for the most vulnerable and that is what government and local government should be doing.
I have no problem with honouring those after which these streets will be named now.
But how about building a safe house for children and name the safe house after one of these people?
How about developing a township with brand new homes for the homeless and destitute and name this after one of these people?
How about building a training centre where they train those with no qualification and name this after one of these people?
How about some forward thinking and not staring back and getting stuck in the past?
How about we look to the future together and start building together. How about we all do our bit to get this country back on its feet?
I can only wonder if any of those in power, those who suggested these name changes and those who voted for the changes, will be brave enough to stand up and say this is why?
Can any of them truly say that there was no other option? Can they honestly say that this money could not have been spent better to the betterment of those struggling?
Will they be able to stand up and say that? Truly say that with conviction?
I, for one, have no confidence in our government and if they choose to spend money on things like this, and just give lip service about how they care for the poorest of the poor, then one can only come to the conclusion that they actually do not give a damn.
One can only draw the conclusion that they just care about themselves and that they have no plans to get off the gravy train any time soon.
I would like somebody from our local government to give concrete answers.
I dare our local government to come up with proof to the community that changing these names is absolutely necessary and that this money could not have been spent better elsewhere.
V Viljoen
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