The City of Cape Town’s Naming Committee this morning, 9 March 2016, recommended a list of names for the newly built community residential apartments and complex in Langa to the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, for approval.
The rental units were recently built on the corner of Bhunga Avenue and Ndabeni Street in Langa as part of the City’s hostel transformation program. The families who are benefiting from this redress program moved into their homes in December 2015.
The development consists of 18 individual residential units, collectively forming the complex. Part of this redress project is to identify suitable names for the new complex and rental units in consultation with the broader community of Langa.
“The naming of the units is an ideal opportunity to commemorate the people and events that influenced the character and culture of Langa. The naming process is also part of our efforts to build an inclusive city where all of us feel welcome, have a stake in the future, and enjoy a sense of belonging,” said the Chairperson of the City’s Naming Committee, Councillor Brett Herron.
Last year a steering committee, in consultation with the local community, identified 19 names during a series of community meetings that took place in Langa. A public participation process followed in August 2015 with a total of 111 residents commenting on the names that were proposed at the community meetings.
“Generally speaking, the proposed 19 names received overwhelming support from those who participated in the process. I want to thank the residents of Langa for the enthusiasm they showed and their interest in the naming process,” said Councillor Herron.
As such, the Naming Committee has recommended the following names to the Executive Mayor for approval:
Hamilton Naki Square (the name of the residential complex) – in honour of the late Mr Hamilton Naki who stayed in a hostel at Special Quarters. He was part of Dr Christiaan Barnard’s team during the first human heart transplant at the Groote Schuur Hopsital in 1967 despite his limited formal education, and was posthumously awarded an honourary doctorate by the University of Cape Town for his role.
Elangeni – meaning ‘place of sun’.
Khayalethu – meaning ‘our home’.
Masihlanganeni – meaning ‘let us be together’.
Ruth Vimbela – the late Mrs Ruth Vimbela stayed in Special Quarters and distinguished herself as a local entrepreneur. She was the only female shoemaker at the time
New Hope
Ukhozi – meaning ‘eagle’.
Zamokuhle – meaning ‘try something good’.
Willard Nodlela – the late Mr Willard Nodlela was a well-known trade unionist. He stayed in Langa New Flats and became part of the hostel residents who, from 1984, advocated for the repeal of the influx control measures in place at the time so that hostel residents could stay with their families; the conversion of the hostels into family units; and the general improvement of hostel conditions.
Sipho Gxabeka – the late Mr Sipho Gxabeka was a community activist who stayed in Special Quarters and distinguished himself by uniting the residents in order for their views to be heard by the authorities at the time.
Ekuhleni – meaning ‘place of good things’.
Ekuphumleni – meaning ‘resting place’.
Nkonjane – meaning ‘swallow’.
Sinqobile – meaning ‘we are victorious’.
Enkululekweni – meaning ‘place of freedom’.
Ntsikelelo Sneke – the late Mr Ntsikelelo Sneke was a Special Quarters resident and community activist who is honoured for his role in promoting hygienic conditions in the area.
Sonwabile – meaning ‘we are happy’.
Simunye – meaning ‘we are one’.
Price Siqwana – the late Mr Price Siqwana was a community leader and activist who stayed in Special Quarters and advocated the provision of electricity at Special Quarters before its introduction.
If the Executive Mayor supports these names, they will be recommended to Council for a final decision.
“The naming of public spaces, residential units and roads, among others, is pivotal in building a shared community across different cultural, social and economic groups. We want to create a city where residents feel acknowledged, heard and valued and this is why the City always invests time and effort in the public participation processes. We would like the community of Langa and the beneficiaries to take ownership of these apartments. I am confident that the proposed names will go a long way towards making the families in these units feel at home,” said Councillor Herron.
