The Democratic Alliance (DA) will lodge a formal objection to Dawid Kruiper municipality’s attempt to bulldoze through an unplanned and unfunded street name change in Upington, in a Special Council meeting held earlier this week.
The DA voted against the name change of Schröder Street, as plans to change the name are not mentioned in the 2025/2026 budget. No further explanation for the unexpected name change was provided, other than an instruction that came from the MEC of COGHSTA, Bentley Vass, who was apparently approached by the family of an ANC stalwart.
What further raises eyebrows is that an updated name change policy was tabled directly before the Schröder Street name change proposal was put forward. The policy update was also implemented with immediate effect. This is highly irregular, as policy updates are always workshopped with councillors, before being tabled in regular council meetings.
DA queries on how the name change would be funded and what it would cost, fell on deaf ears. This is concerning, given that Dawid Kruiper is cash strapped, and struggling to pay its creditors.
In addition to the procedural irregularities, and the unbudgeted costs, we are also questioning the decision to overwrite one piece of history with another, without a valid explanation. We are not opposed to honouring the legacy of anyone, who played a courageous role in the struggle for a democratic South Africa. Similarly, Reverend Christiaan Schröder worked closely with the indigenous communities, with Schröder Street reminding us that our struggle is also one of reconciliation.
The DA will submit written objections to the way in which the policy update and name change were tabled. We will also ensure that ward committee meetings are convened for the affected wards, and oppose the name change at upcoming public hearings to ensure that name changes are used for public memory, not abused for political victory.