Officials from the City of Johannesburg, Al Jama-ah, Cosatu, the SACP, the ANC, and other labour and political formations joined forces with Africa4Palestine in a desperate attempt to persuade the Gauteng Provincial Government to rename Sandton Drive as Leila Khaled, in honour of one of the world’s most notable freedom fighters.
On Tuesday, they submitted more than 60 000 signed petitions to the Johannesburg Arts, Culture, and Heritage Offices.
Receiving the petitions, MMC for Community Development Kabelo Gwamanda reflected on the legacy of Nelson Mandela and the contribution made by Khaled in the fight for freedom for their people and the entire global community.
“Our government will always stand on the side of justice. We also welcome those who are against the street renaming because everyone has a right to express their views in any shape or form. We would like to thank everyone that participated.
“We also thank Africa4Palestine for their submissions that they are making today, and we hope this will be followed to the latter. Organisations that feel strongly about the submission have gone above and beyond to demonstrate that they are in support of the council’s decision,” Gwamanda said outside the premises of the Johannesburg Arts, Culture, and Heritage Offices.
According to Professor Farid Esack, chairperson of the Africa4Palestine, the signatures mark a historic submission as it exceeds any previous public submissions for a name change in Johannesburg.
“As we approach the deadline for public participation, the urgency of our collective action cannot be overstated. While opponents, including Zionist groups, attempt to create opposition our community remains resolute. Recent revelations about a local resident’s involvement in an Israeli sniper unit that has targeted unarmed civilians in Gaza further emphasise the importance of this initiative,” Esack said.
Speaking of her support and that of the ANC, Thuthukile Zuma indicated that during South Africa’s fight for liberation, the world stood in solidarity with South Africa to help the country achieve its democracy.
“The world stood in solidarity with our Struggle and the world celebrated our heroes with buildings and statues in their names. The Palestinian people during our Struggle became our brothers in arms. It is very important that we too return the favour now that we have freedom,” she said.
Zuma then read a passage from Khaled’s letter to Mayor Dada Morero and his staff, in which Khaled expressed gratitude for their readiness to name one of the city's main avenues in her honour.
“Dear comrade Morero and councillor Gwamanda, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you and all those who have made the renaming of Grayston Drive to Leila Khaled Drive a possibility. I am profoundly honoured by this gesture as it holds immense significance for the people of Palestine,” she said.
In a statement on Tuesday, DA MP Leah Potgieter called the decision “just another vanity project”, noting that many local businesses and citizens have opposed it because they are concerned about the renaming’s financial ramifications.
“This is a costly vanity project from a city that struggles to meet the demand for basic services. The City of Joburg has failed to consult widely enough on the proposal.
“Residents and those impacted are opposed to this move and should Sandton Drive be renamed, it should be renamed to a South African hero, of which we have many; and the city must prioritise service delivery, not vanity projects,” Potgieter stated.
The public had until Tuesday to submit their comments to the city so that it could determine whether to accept or reject the ongoing project.
According to the DA, Khaled is a controversial Palestinian political figure, known for her involvement in aircraft hijacking career and affiliation with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which was responsible for mass political killings.
“Not only can the city not move budget around outside of legislated budget cycles, it has also been unable to fund critical infrastructure projects throughout Sandton, Alex and surrounds. The city must prioritise service delivery, not vanity projects,” said Potgieter.
The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) has also intensified its disapproval of the proposal as it wrote a letter to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco).
The federation’s letter asserted that the Joburg municipality’s proposal is unlawful because it breaches the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act.
While the metro maintained that renaming Sandton Drive after Khaled would strengthen diplomatic ties with the Palestinian government, SAZF national vice-chairperson, Craig Pantanwitz, believed such political actions would harm South Africa’s relations with the US.
“This proposal, which would force the American Consulate to change its address to that of an individual classified as a terrorist is a diplomatic insult that could have far-reaching consequences for South Africa’s international relations and investment.”
The Star