The South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) argued that renaming Sandton Drive after Palestinian struggle hero, Leila Khaled, would starkly dishonour South Africa’s peace-building and reconciliation core values.
The organisation’s stern disapproval comes after it led a protest against the pending proposal on Wednesday outside the City of Johannesburg Council Chambers in Braamfontein.
The protest was supported by locals who attended in numbers, including members of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and former mayor of the metro, Mpho Phalatse.
Spokesperson for SAFI, Bafana Modise, said changing the street to Leila Khaled Drive would be a step backward in the country’s efforts towards nation-building.
“South Africa is a nation striving to heal its divisions. Renaming a prominent street after someone with such a violent legacy undermines this effort and promotes division rather than unity,” he said.
Following Khaled’s strong ties with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Modise cautioned an incoming Leila Khaled Drive would be a representation of SA’s stark apartheid history.
“Our communities deserve to be represented by names that symbolise hope, progress, and inclusivity,” said Modise.
Protesters raised concerns based on Khaled’s aircraft hijacking and terrorism legacy. Thus, at the heart of the march was the objection to naming a major Johannesburg street as Leila Khaled Drive.
Protesters pleaded that the metro reconsider its controversial proposal.
A petition with over 30 000 submissions by citizens voicing their disapproval of the proposal was handed over to the City Council by the SAFI.
The petition was launched through the public participation site, Dear South Africa.
Modise expressed worry that the renaming process would also financially strain the Joburg municipality’s purse amid the ongoing dilapidated and damaged infrastructure.
“Renaming Sandton Drive after a polarising figure dishonours South African heroes who have made genuine contributions to our national story. Leila Khaled has no connection to Johannesburg or South Africa’s history.
“South Africa has a moral duty to reject the glorification of violence and extremism. Our Constitution demands respect for the right to life and human dignity. By renaming a landmark after Khaled, we risk sending the wrong message and undermining our pursuit of peaceful coexistence,” said Modise.
Despite the metro having reiterated that it followed the Naming and Renaming policy in proposing to rename Sandton Drive, Modise said: “This decision contradicts the city’s naming policies.”
The Joburg municipality’s spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said the metro has received a significant number of submissions from the public.
“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 in early 2025. This is due to an unprecedented number of comments received,” he said.
The SAFI joins other civic groups and political parties such as ActionSA, the DA, and the South African Zionist Federation among others, in opposing the renaming.
The Star