The only time roads can be renamed without approval in South Africa
Established roads in South Africa can generally only be renamed if the proposed change is approved by a council appointed under the Policy on the Naming of Streets and Public Places.
That said, in the spirit of promoting service delivery, there are several instances in which they can be given a new name without getting the green light from council.
According to City of Johannesburg MMC for Community Development, Tebogo Nkokou, the naming of streets without council approval is permissible in the following cases:
- Where existing streets are extended
- Rectification of administrative errors and/or incorrect spelling of names
- Naming of private features such as rights-of-way and private streets guided by general criteria set out road naming policy
- Allocation of approved street names held in the Joburg Names Bank can be done with the approval of the MMC: Community Development
The Joburg Names Bank contains a database of approved names for the City of Johannesburg, administered by Corporate GIS in cooperation with the Community Development departments.
Names which can be drawn from the Names Bank have been checked and pre-approved for compliance with the Policy on Naming Streets and Public Places.
Joburg proposes several name changes
Nkokou explained the road naming procedure after the City of Johannesburg received backlash for its proposed renaming of several arteries.
On 3 March, the metro put out calls for public comment on its plans to rename the following roads:
| Location | Current name | New name | Reason for chosen name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braamfontein | De Beer Street | Mthokozisi Ntumba Street | Mthokozisi Ntumba, a 35-year-old civil servant, was fatally shot by police in 2021 while passing by student protests in Braamfontein. |
| Eldorado Park | Main Road | Don Mattera Road | Don Mattera is among the most revered South African writers and cultural figures of the modern day. |
| Eldorado Park | Nikkel Crescent | Nathaniel Julies Crescent | Nathaniel Julies was a 16-year-old boy with down syndrome who was fatally shot by police in 2020, close to his home on Nikkel Crescent. |
South Africa’s Policy on the Naming of Streets and Public Places states that names give a “sense of place” and are essential navigational tools and locational guides for moving through the city.
“Place names in Johannesburg should reflect the rich histories, diverse heritage, cultural identities and natural resources of the area,” said Nkokou.
“According to the [policy], names touch people’s lives on many levels, building community or neighbourhood identity and contributing to the creation of places that residents and users can relate to and take pride in. Place names can help build social cohesion and influence our experiences and perceptions of the city.”
The correct use of place names can benefit many fields of activity, including trade and commerce; urban and regional planning; travel and tourism; communications and postal services; and transportation, emergency services, and disaster relief.
Notably, place renaming should also be done sparingly so as to eliminate unnecessary expenses, including costs for businesses and other stakeholders.
The City of Johannesburg has given the public until 31 March 2025 to submit their comments and feedback on the proposed name changes.
Loading ...
