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The DA in the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality has submitted a request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Geographical Name Changes Committee, Christian Martin, requesting the name/s of the applicant/s for the name changes of three towns in the municipality.

The names proposed are Nqweba for Kirkwood, Sparrowville for Enon and Nqatu for Addo.

On 15 June 2023, the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture presented a name change plan to the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality Council. A department representative informed councillors that the process had been triggered by proposals from individuals whose identities could not be revealed due to the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act.

It is our contention that where a person has made a public application that has a bearing on entire towns and communities, the best interests of fairness are not served by keeping their identity hidden.

The Preamble of the POPI Act also stipulates that where the constitutional values of democracy and openness are at stake, unnecessary impediments to the free flow of information, including personal information are required to be removed.

In addition, Section 3(3)(b) of the Act states specifically that its provisions must be interpreted in a manner that does not prevent any public or private body from exercising or performing its powers, duties and functions in terms of the law.

Given the massive implications of changes of name to the three towns under consideration, we cannot find any justification for the withholding of this information.

While the DA is in support of redress for the injustices of the past, we are of the opinion that these proposed name changes are not the solution.  To restore dignity to our people and address the injustices of the past, we need to find ways of improving lives through service delivery, economic growth and employment opportunities.  Name changes accomplish none of these.

Our focus should be on changing lives, not changing names.

Issued by Cllr Karen Smith - Sundays River Valley Caucus Leader