Here on the African continent we are faced with the challenge of furthering the social and economic development of Africa. Ours is the second largest continent on earth, spanning a vast expanse the earth’s territory from the Mediterranean in the north to Cape Agulhas in the south. That the continent is culturally diverse is readily recognized. Less evident is the role that culture can play in nurturing social cohesion, conflict prevention and promoting human security. Culture has an important place in the developmental agenda of the continent.

The development of a sound, forward-looking cultural policy for South Africa necessarily must take account of the cross-cutting character of culture, affecting all spheres of government activity.

The international Convention on cultural diversity, adopted by the UNESCO General Assembly in 2005, defines cultural diversity as : “the multiplicity and interaction of cultural expressions that co-exist in the world and thus enrich the common heritage of humanity”.

A group of independent experts set up by the Director General of UNESCO defined it as “the manifold ways in which the cultures of social groups and societies find expression.”

In other words, far from separating us, humanity’s cultural diversity is our collective strength, which should benefit the entire world. In this sense, it should be recognised and affirmed as the “common heritage” of humanity.

This human family of ours has over the ages built up a huge fund of knowledge and experiences that have been shared amongst us in a myriad of ways. No section or portion of the human family can therefore claim to be the exclusive repository of wisdom, knowledge, valid experience and worth. We all have something to teach to others; we all have learnt from others; we all have been enriched by such inter-action with others; and, what is more, it is precisely that capacity to teach, to learn and to be enriched by such exchanges that makes us human.

We here in South Africa, are perhaps more fortunate than others in that our country and our nation is, in and of itself, racially, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse. Whereas in the past, under the regimes of colonialism; “White supremacy with justice” to use the rather absurd formulation of Jan Smuts, and apartheid, such diversity was regarded and treated as problematic, as something to be denied and vigourously repressed by legislation and by force of arms, since 1996, through and in our democratic constitution, we have recognized that our diversity as one aspect of South Africa’s great strength. It is something we should nurture, something we should actively promote and applaud.

When promoting South Africa as a tourism destination we proudly proclaim “ A World in One Country!” And we are absolutely right to do that. We speak of the different hues, sounds, faiths and modes of expression one finds in our country as the diverse threads of a beautiful tapestry.

The legislation in question: The South African Geographical Names Council Act of 1998, was passed by parliament as an act of affirmation; an act to affirm precisely the cultural diversity of South Africa, born of the recognition that in the past, that we all regret but nonetheless have to recognize as part of the South African reality, there had been a conscious effort to deny that diversity through various acts of commission and omission.

I think all honourable members are aware that one of the founding myths of the apartheid ideology was that South Africa was an empty land: that is that before the 1400s no one, other than the Khoikhoi and the San lived in South Africa, that otherwise this was a land devoid of people. Historians, archeologists and demographers have more than amply demonstrated the falsity of that claim. I will not bother to enter into that debate.

What is demonstrably true is that literally thousands of geographical names were imposed on the country by the colonial powers who governed South Africa and portions of it over the last three and half centuries. They did this without regard to the pre-existing names, let alone the sensibilities of the indigenous people, who in most instances continued to use the original names. There are also the numerous instances where colonial administrators misheard indigenous names, but notwithstanding imposed their misconstruction of those names. There are some places that were renamed to celebrate the military victories of White settlers over African armies, some to memorialize European kings and Queens, some to celebrate colonial governors and soldiers.

And then, there are places that were renamed, and given names that are offensive.

In the renaming of geographical features and places all these matters were taken into account : the diversity of our society, the integrity of our languages, the sensibilities of our people, and, sometimes just plain common sense.

The proposed name change of the Johannesburg International Airport was done in terms of an Act of Parliament :The South African Geographical Names Council Act, of 1998.

The preamble to the enabling legislation reads:

“To establish a permanent advisory body known as the South African Geographical Names Council to advise the Minister responsible for arts and culture on the transformation and standardisation of geographical names in South Africa for official purposes; to determine its objects, functions and methods of work; and to provide for matters connected therewith.”

The relevant passage, Clause 10, of the law reads:

“10 Approval and revision of geographical names

(1) The Minister may approve or reject a geographical name recommended by the Council in terms of section 9 (1) (d).

(2) A geographical name approved or rejected by the Minister in terms of subsection (1) must be published in the Gazette.

(3) Any person or body dissatisfied with a geographical name approved by the Minister may, within one month from the date of publication of the geographical name in the Gazette, lodge a complaint in writing to the Minister.

(4) The Minister may refer the complaint to the Council for advice whether or not to reject or amend a geographical name so approved.

(5) The Minister must inform the complainant of the decision on the complaint and the reasons for the decision.”

It is of paramount importance that those, especially the leaders of the political parties who object to the changes in place names educate their members, especially those serving in legislative bodies at national, provincial and municipal levels, about the law and its provisions. It should be a cause of embarrassment that we have to educate parliamentarians about laws that they had a hand in passing on the content and meaning of those laws.

I want all honourable members to note, that as the law stands, it is not the Minister who initiates or sets in motion changes of geographical names. The Minister receives recommendations from other bodies, empowered by this law, to propose those changes. Having satisfied her/himself that the provisions of the law have been conformed with, the Minister may approve or reject a proposed name change.

In this instance, the proposal by the Ekhurhuleni Metro Council, that the name of the Johannesburg International Airport, be changed to the O. R. Tambo Airport, I am satisfied that every provision of the law had been followed. The process commenced in that municipal council in 2003. It was debated in the council chamber, with arguments for and against tabled. There was a testing of public opinion by the relevant local authority and their proposal was forwarded to the South African Geographical Names Council. They then sent that, together with a number of others published in the government gazette, some two months ago to my office.

Today I am formally announcing that I am approving the name change. The name of the Johannesburg International Airport will be changed to O.R. Tambo International Airport. After consultations with the Ministry of Transport, a formal naming ceremony will be performed, hopefully to coincide with the late O.R. Tambo’s birthday, 27 th October.

In closing, Madame Deputy Speaker, I can do no better than to quote the words of Prince Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary of the Commonwealth:

“Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo’s place in history is secure. He was a great South African and an even greater son of Africa. More than this, he belonged to all humanity. As he himself said, the campaign against apartheid was humanity’s own cause; and by playing such a pre-eminent leadership role in the defeat of this evil system, he contributed decisively to the removal of one of the greatest blots on our common humanity. That was what made his life such a blessing and a benefaction.”

By honouring Oliver Tambo in this way, we honour what is best in all of us.

For further details, call: Sandile Memela, Spokesperson for Ministry of Arts & Culture at 082 800 3750

 

back to top