City recommends renaming of Sea Point Library in honour of the late Colin Eglin

The City of Cape Town's Naming Committee, in response to a 231-signatory petition, has recommended that the Sea Point Library be renamed in honour of the late Colin Eglin. Read more below:

Following this recommendation, a comprehensive public participation process - as foreseen by the Constitution and stipulated by the Local Government Municipal Systems Act - is to be followed to allow for residents, role players, interested parties and community organisations to air their views.

The recommendation from the City's Naming Committee is in response to a renaming proposal that was submitted to the Office of the Speaker by a local resident of Sea Point. The renaming proposal was accompanied by motivations and support from 230 other residents who have also signed the petition, as well as support from the family of Eglin who has represented the Sea Point constituency in the National Parliament for 33 years.

‘We are committed to building an inclusive city in which everyone enjoys a sense of belonging and where those who have made a significant contribution to our democracy are honoured,' said the Chairperson of the City's Naming Committee, Councillor Brett Herron.

The Western Cape Government bestowed on Eglin the Officer of the Order of the Disa in 2004 and in April 2013 he received the National Order of the Baobab (silver) from the National Government for serving South Africa with excellence and for his dedication and courage in fighting for the principle of equality for all South Africans.

The renaming proposal is compliant with the City's Naming Policy which states that notable people, freemen and citizens who have received honour of the highest kind can be considered.

Eglin was born in Sea Point in 1925; he was a former Member of Parliament and a founder member of the Progressive Party and later elected chairperson of the Democratic Party's parliamentary caucus.

The Naming Committee, as per a request from the Library and Information Services Department, has recommended that the geographic location remain part of the new naming proposal - e.g. the Colin Eglin-Sea Point Library - the reason being that it may assist in providing directional guidance in denoting a public library in Sea Point.

‘We encourage our residents to please take part in this public participation process and to have their say,' said Councillor Herron.

Statement issued by Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, October, 15 2014

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