Pretoria
In South Africa, What’s in a Name?
Posted by admin / Under Pretoria
Since the coming of “non-racial democracy” in South Africa, ANC-led governing bodies especially at the local level have renamed numerous streets and other public facilities that formerly honored Afrikaner nationalists. Hence the country’s principal international airport at Johannesburg has been renamed to honor Oliver Tambo, a father of the ANC; it formerly was called Jan Smuts, after the twentieth century Afrikaner politician. Now, prodded by the mayor, sentiment seems to be growing to rename Pretoria. Among those who want the change, a consensus favors Tswane, with suburbs (likely mostly white) retaining the name Pretoria. But, as Pretoria is the national...
Published on Saturday 19th of May 2012 09:37:08 AM
Signs of the times: street names debate rages in Pretoria (South Africa)
Posted by admin / Under Pretoria
What's in a name? Centuries of conflict, bloodshed and debate over the ownership of history, if it belongs to a street or city in South Africa. Eighteen years after the demise of white minority rule, the country continues to struggle with the renaming of public spaces that reflect the new order while acknowledging a difficult past. Although there is no shortage of tributes to Nelson Mandela, they still sit cheek by jowl with signs bearing the names of racial apartheid architects such as Hendrik Verwoerd. Nowhere is the debate more intense than in the administrative capital and seat of the...
Published on Saturday 19th of May 2012 09:37:08 AM
Whites can be and are victims of South African genocide
Posted by admin / Under Pretoria
I was picking up my daughter Monday afternoon at school to take her to a doctor’s appointment when I noticed something that warmed my heart. I saw several different messages in large chalk words around campus. “Stop White South African Genocide” and “Stand Fast South Africa” were chalked throughout my short walk on campus. When I left South Africa in 1998 and brought my family to the United States to flee the genocide of my people, I found that no one knew about what was truly going on or seemed to care. The idea that whites could be the victims...
Published on Saturday 19th of May 2012 09:37:08 AM
South Africa's Capital To Be Renamed in 2012
Posted by admin / Under Pretoria
Cityscape of Pretoria, the capital of South Africa in 2010. The official who oversees South Africa's capital, Pretoria, says the city will have a new name by the end of next year. The mayor of Tshwane municipality, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, says all of Pretoria will be renamed Tshwane by the end of 2012. The ruling African National Congress party has been working for years to rename the capital Tshwane, but the move has been strongly resisted, mainly by white South Africans. Ramokgopa says the issue is currently before the culture minister for approval, adding his municipality would be "resolute and stubborn"...
Published on Saturday 19th of May 2012 09:37:08 AM
4 ARRESTED IN SOUTH AFRICA TRYING TO SELL NUCLEAR DEVICE
Posted by admin / Under Pretoria
SNIPPET: "South African police say they have arrested four men in the capital, Pretoria, for attempting to sell what they describe as an industrial nuclear device to undercover officers. The men - all South Africans - were arrested Friday at a Pretoria gas station, where they attempted to sell the device for about $6 million. Police say Interpol was also involved in the operation."
Published on Saturday 19th of May 2012 09:37:08 AM
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