PUBLIC MEETINGS SHOW LITTLE SUPPORT FOR PRETORIA NAME CHANGE

AfriForum today handed a memorandum to the Tshwane Metro Council in which it is argued that the latest round of public meetings held by the Metro Council on the proposed name change of Pretoria indicated that few people support the proposed name change of Pretoria. In the memorandum, AfriForum furthermore argues that Tshwane Metro Council office bearers and officials tried to manipulate the public meetings to promote a pro-name change agenda, and that for this reason the meetings did not constitute a bona fide public participation attempt.

Apart from the written objections to the name change handed in at the public meetings, AfriForum today submitted to the Metro Council a further 4 310 written objections from members of the public together with the memorandum. Today is the last day on which the public can give input regarding the name change.

According to Kallie Kriel, AfriForum's CEO, the latest round of public meetings was a failed attempt by the Metro Council to rectify the mistakes made since the inception of the name change process. 'Instead of rectifying the mistakes, the Metro Council again made every conceivable blunder in this round of public meetings - which AfriForum could use to good effect to fight any decision to change Pretoria's name in court,' Kriel added.

Some of the flaws that occurred in the latest round of public meetings and which are highlighted in AfriForum's memorandum are, among others:

• At the second public meeting held in Refilwe, mayoral committee member, Jacob Masango, indicated 'that the people have spoken and that Pretoria's name would be changed to Tshwane.' This statement, made on 16 October 2012 while the public still had until 6 November 2012 to give input, confirms that these meetings were not part of a bona fide public participation process, and that the decision was already taken.
• Officials wanted to manipulate meetings by openly trying to impose the pro name change agenda. Attempts were also made to intimidate those in favour of the retention of Pretoria's name. At one meeting the person responsible for circulating the roving microphone among members of the public who wanted to address the meeting, openly showed her disapproval of pro-Pretoria views. She even openly admonished a Refilwe resident who had dared to ask that Pretoria's name not be changed. This can be regarded as intimidation of anyone who would dare to express a pro-Pretoria opinion.
• The chairman of the first meeting scheduled in Refilwe cancelled the meeting when it became apparent that the majority of attendees were in favour of keeping Pretoria's name.
• The public meetings held in Centurion, at the Pretoria City Hall and in Bronkhorstspruit were well attended and at those meetings it was clear that the retention of Pretoria's name enjoyed strong support. Attendance of the meetings in the townships was poor despite these meetings having been widely advertised. This confirms that there is limited enthusiasm for the Pretoria name change in these areas.

Statement issued by Kallie Kriel, AfriForum CEO, November 6 2012

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