Director of ceremonies
The chairperson and members of the South African Geographical Names Council
Councillors of municipalities in the Western Cape
The Acting Deputy Director-General of the national Department of Arts and Culture, ladies and gentlemen
Good morning, goeie môre, molweni
At the outset let me share with you the fact that the provincial government of the Western Cape is in the process of appointing the new provincial Geographical Names Committee. A member of this committee will then serve as the Western Cape’s representative on the South African Geographical Names Council. We as a provincial government are committed to the process and we hope to finalise the appointment by the end of March 2010.
The provincial government is sensitive to the fact that around the world, geographical names play the role of important markers in our everyday lives. These names while serving as an indication of where your home is situated, where you work or in which town, suburb or city you live, it often also has a much deeper meaning for most of us.
South Africa is a culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse society. Both the national Department of Arts and Culture and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport have been tasked in promoting social cohesion.
In order to give effect to this mandate, both the national department, provincial department and local authorities has been tasked to formulate policy which addresses amongst others, ways in which our heritage may be used to foster unity, support diversity, minimise conflict and promote human security.
While doing this we also need to address the role that the heritage sector may play in promoting social cohesion while at the same time identifying legislative, policy and operational obstacles that detract from this. In doing so we can further foster reconciliation and achieve redress, along with promoting social cohesion without compromising social justice.
We need to bear in mind ladies and gentlemen, each of these entities has its own equal yet separate mandate. While the South African Geographical Names Council has the influence of deciding on names of national concern, but not limited to town, suburbs and any form of human settlements, post offices, railway stations, highways and government dams, it also controls the national landforms, e.g. mountains, hills, rivers, streams, bays, headlands and points and islands passes.
As the provincial government, we have an oversight role, whereas features under the control of local government or municipalities include streets, municipal building, squares, parks and cemeteries.
Ladies and gentlemen, I recognise that all of the above, in some way, somehow evokes a level of interest within all of us, some because of family or historical reasons. It is important at this point, to share with you the current consultative process with national government. This consultative process was initiated and led by the national authorities with minimum or no input and guidance from the provincial and local government within this province.
The understanding as communicated by the South African Geographical Names Council, to this provincial government, was that today’s “hearing” is primarily aimed at developing a common vision, mobilising the community, raisings awareness of the naming process, encouraging relevant stakeholders to engage in the process, strengthening social and economic and political case and basis for the standardisation of geographical features.
It is important to remember that the South African Geographical Names Council does not have the jurisdiction over local name changes. Renaming and naming is an important aspect of any changing environment and society, including our evolving democracy. Therefore this process is of fundamental importance, but needs to remain within the context of its legislative mandate, within the three spheres of government.
While we stay within the ambit of our legislative framework, our ultimate aim should be to reconcile communities and foster harmony across our society.
I thank you, Ek dank u, enkosi kakhulu.
