Protesters who gathered at the City of Johannesburg’s offices in Braamfontein on Wednesday, 27 November, claimed that renaming Sandton Drive after former Palestinian activist Leila Khaled would be in contrast to South Africa’s values of reconciliation and peace-building.
South African Friends Of Israel protest against the renaming of Sandton Drive outside Johannesburg Council Chambers on 27 November 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle)
The protest was supported by former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse, who said the renaming motion had been moved during her time in office.
“I was a councillor in 2018 when this motion came to council,” said Phalatse.
“Our hope was that the voice of the residents of Johannesburg would be upheld through public participation.”
Phalatse said an independent public participation process revealed an outright rejection of this motion by Joburg residents. The city received an unprecedented number of public comments on the proposal.
“Yet the city alleges that the motion enjoys the support of residents. This calls for an audit of the city’s process,” she said.
Read more: Conversation with a revolutionary icon – what makes Leila Khaled still run?
The motion for the renaming of the street was advanced by the Al Jama-ah party.
The DA caucus opposed the motion, but it went through. According to Phalatse, the motion was opposed due to Khaled’s involvement in what was described as terrorism. As a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Khaled was involved in plane hijackings in 1969 and 1970.
“Al Jamaah wants this renaming for reasons only known to them,” said Phalatse.
“Other political parties are probably transacting for support in other areas, at the expense of residents,” she said.
“It’s polarising as opposed to uniting South Africans around fostering peace in the Middle East,” said the former mayor.
“Who we celebrate will ultimately determine the kind of society we build.”
‘Shared histories’
Africa4Palestine spokesperson Alie Komape supported the motion to rename Sandton Drive.
“We believe it’s in the best interest of the South African government and the City of Johannesburg, in particular, as part of the transformation agenda,” Komape said.
“We support the city in this endeavour and have taken steps to garner public support in terms of submitting public comments.”
“The City of Johannesburg is fully within its rights to rename streets and public spaces in honour of individuals who embody shared histories, values and aspirations. Our own heritage and the fight for decolonisation remind us that this is more than just a name change – it is a profound recognition of our collective struggle against colonialism and oppression,” said Komape.
Al Jama-ah secretary general Faried Achmat said Palestinians had suggested the best way the party could contribute to their cause was to use symbolism to remind people of their struggle. The party tried and was prevented from erecting a statue of Yasser Arafat on municipal grounds.
Then Al Jama-ah proposed renaming Sandton Drive as Ramallah Drive, but in order to get sufficient votes, it agreed to a compromise with the EFF, which preferred Leila Khaled Drive.
“Freedom-loving South Africans have no quarrel to keep the Palestinian struggle alive and what a better way for thousands of drivers to see name every day,” Achmat told Daily Maverick.
The ANC and Cosatu support the proposal. In October, Cosatu called the motion “a powerful gesture of solidarity with the people of Palestine”.
“Cosatu commends the city council for adopting this resolution in 2018, which also included renaming William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive, the latter officially renamed last year.”
Priorities questioned
Kirsten Meyers, a Johannesburg resident who was at the protest on Wednesday, expressed shock at the Johannesburg City Council’s decision to consider the street renaming.
“We are so predictable as a society in South Africa. Always when we struggle to come to terms with our societal issues, we immediately seek a distraction at whatever cost,” Meyers said.
“The renaming of the street is not a priority, but we are deliberately diverting from the priorities. Our priority at the moment is to ensure that our children are safe from all spaza shop foods, but we want to resuscitate a controversial figure at huge expense.”
“It does not make sense,” said Amanda Mbewe, another Johannesburg resident.
“The name of the street is fine as it is, but because we are so uncomfortable of our own history, we want to borrow from others.”
“I truly support the government’s stance on the Israeli war on Gaza, but I do not support shunning our own history. I say leave the name as it is. Or are they also going to change Sandton City to Leila Khaled City?” Mbewe asked.
Komape, from Africa4Palestine, which stands in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli occupation, however, said: “Leila Khaled is a close friend of South Africans, in particular, a close friend and comrade to Nelson Mandela. She is an international icon of defiance against oppressive regimes, whose life and struggle resonate deeply with those of oppressed women across the globe.”
City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said the city is still considering the responses to the renaming proposal.
“The city finalised counting the comments and a report will be prepared for council decision on the matter. It will hopefully start serving in the city’s committee system from early 2025. This is due to an unprecedented number of comments received.” DM
This article was updated at 7:27 on Thursday, 28 November 2024, to include Al Jama-ah secretary general Faried Achmat's comment.