There are more important needs than a name change costing R5 Million

It is surprising to see in various newspapers, the notice of intention to change Sisonke District Municipality to Harry Gwala district. This clearly indicates that most of the statements communicated to the public by the ruling party are by no means true. I am sure the readers will remember that it came out in some newspapers few weeks ago that Sisonke District name change had been finalised. Even some politicians have been conveying this misleading message in public meetings. It is only how that they have been made to realise that they did not follow correct procedures. It is also shocking that this matter is brought to the attention of the public for comments without being presented to the District Executive Committee and Council meeting for discussion. It is also frightening to note that the Municipality which is expected to fight towards changing the lives of people from poverty to prosperity, to create job opportunities especially to unemployed youth that has finished Grade 12 and tertiary education, to deliver basic services that are needed by the people of Sisonke can spend a huge amount of money in just changing the District Municipality name solely for political motives and benefit. As we speak there are numerous places within the District that are still having a severe backlog, where people don't have basic services like water, toilets, access roads, shelter and the like but in our great surprise we find the so called 'leaders' who resort to using millions of tax payers in just changing the District Municipality name for political objectives. Even if there was a dire need of renaming the District, I don't see any logic in naming the District after a person who had never been a resident of Sisonke, This is a taboo even to leaders and heroes of Sisonke who dedicated their lives and worked tirelessly for the people of Sisonke. The present ruling party leaders at Sisonke simply display that those heroes and leaders were absolutely impotent.

Sisonke is an African uniting name which simply means that we are together, black or white, rich or poor, young or old, educated or illiterate, with disabilities or with no disabilities whereas the name Harry Gwala will be discriminating all other people of Sisonke who are not members of A N C since this was ANC leader. Therefore I strongly oppose this intention to change Sisonke District to Harry Gwala District.

Siyabonga 'SD' Hadebe, Seaford Location, Donnybrook 074 7247 862