The Al Jama-ah and labour federation, Cosatu, declared their support for the City of Joburg’s proposal of renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive.
This comes after the proposal has been received with backlash, as civic organisations and political parties stated their disapproval of the motion which was suggested before council members in 2018.
The leader of Al Jama-ah and Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, told Newzroom Afrika that the initial plan was to rename Sandton Drive to Ramallah Drive to strengthen ties with the Palestinian government.
A tripartite coalition of the EFF, ANC and Al Jama-ah gained majority support over city council opposition, agreeing Sandton Drive will be renamed after Palestinian political figure, Leila Khaled.
Khaled is known for her aircraft hijacking career, and membership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which was involved in political mass killings.
Hendricks and Cosatu agreed that renaming Sandton Drive honoured Khaled’s significant role in acting against the oppression of Palestinian people, similar to Winnie Mandela who was pivotal in the fight against apartheid.
William Nicol Drive was renamed to Winnie Mandela Drive last year.
“We fully support the city’s initiative, recognising the importance of honouring individuals and organisations who contributed to our struggle for freedom from apartheid. The Palestinian people stood by our side during our fight against apartheid,” they said.
The deputy minister added renaming Sandton Drive after Khaled would show women empowerment together with Winnie Mandela Drive.
“We are really passionate that Leila Khaled Drive must intersect with Winnie Mandela Drive. That precinct will show women empowerment and what role women have played to end apartheid, to fight resistance,” said Hendricks.
He further refuted the Patriotic Alliance’s concern that renaming Sandton Drive would impact the country’s diplomatic ties with the American government since the US Embassy is located in the same location.
This is after the US declared Khaled a terrorist.
Parties opposing the proposal raised concerns that the metro is paying homage to a political figure, who had no direct involvement in the end of apartheid, instead, she thrived as a terrorist.
Therefore, demanding the pending new name should rather be renamed after a local Struggle hero.
However, Cosatu said the Palestinian government has maintained a strong relationship with the country, standing in solidarity against apartheid and colonisation.
“South African freedom fighters shared guerrilla training camps with Palestinians in Algeria, cementing their comradeship in the shared Struggle against settler colonialism.
“Leila Khaled and the Palestinian people are our comrades in the global fight against oppression, colonialism, imperialism, and exploitation,” said Cosatu.
Hendricks echoed the federation’s words, saying Nelson Mandela is ironically honoured globally for his contribution to the end of apartheid.
Additionally, ActionSA urged the metro to focus on quality service delivery instead of squandering the city’s funds on street name-changing processes.
However, Hendricks argued renaming Sandton Drive would see a great return on investment for the city’s economy, suggesting it may be a tourist attraction for its history.
“The money that is going to be spent will create so much goodwill for South Africa. People will flock to that precinct where Leila Khaled and Winnie Mandela Drive intersect. It will bring so many economic opportunities for the City of Joburg,” said Hendricks.
Residents have until October 15 to submit their responses to dominicam@joburg.org.za, stating their approval or rejection of the tabled proposal.
The Star
hope.mafu@inl.co.za