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News
T
he rental units were recently
built on the corner of Bhunga
Avenue and Ndabeni Street
in Langa, as part of the City’s hostel
transformation programme.
The development consists of 18
individual residential units, collec-
tively forming the complex. Part of this
redress project is to identify suitable
names for the new complex and rental
units, in consultationwith the broader
community of Langa.
“The naming of the units is an ideal
opportunity to commemorate the
people and events that influenced the
character and culture of Langa. The
naming process is also part of our ef-
forts to build an inclusive citywhere all
of us feel welcome, have a stake in the
future, and enjoy a sense of belong-
ing,” said the Chairperson of the City’s
Naming Committee, Brett Herron.
Last year a steering committee, in
consultation with the local commu-
nity, identified 19 names during a se-
ries of community meetings that took
place in Langa. A public participation
process followed in August 2015with a
total of 111 residents commenting on
the names that were proposed.
The Naming Committee has recom-
mended the following names to the
Executive Mayor for approval:
• Hamilton Naki Square – in honour
of the late Hamilton Naki who
stayed in a hostel at Special Quar-
ters. He was part of Dr Christiaan
Barnard’s team during the first
human heart transplant at the
Groote Schuur Hospital in 1967.
Despite his limited formal educa-
tion hewas posthumously awarded
an honorary doctorate by the Uni-
versity of Cape Town for his role in
the heart transplant team.
• Elangeni –‘place of sun’
• Khayalethu – ‘our home’
• Masihlanganeni – ‘let us be
together’.
• Ruth Vimbela – the late Ruth Vim-
bela stayed in Special Quarters and
distinguished herself as a local en-
trepreneur. Shewas the only female
shoemaker at the time.
• New Hope;
• Ukhozi –‘eagle’
• Zamokuhle –‘try something good’
• Willard Nodlela – the late Willard
Nodlela was a well-known trade
unionist. He supported for the re-
peal of the influx control measures
so that hostel residents could stay
New Langa apartments still to be named
The City of Cape Town’s Naming Committee has recommended a list
of names for the newly built community residential apartments and
complex in Langa to Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, for approval.
with their families. He also advo-
cated for the general improvement
of hostel living conditions.
• SiphoGxabeka – the late SiphoGxa-
bekawas a community activist who
distinguishedhimself by uniting the
residents in order for their views to
be heard by the authorities.
• Ekuhleni – ‘place of good things’
• Ekuphumleni – ‘resting place’
• Nkonjane – ‘swallow’
• Sinqobile – ‘we are victorious’
• Enkululekweni – ‘place of freedom’
• Ntsikelelo Sneke – the late Ntsikele-
lo Sneke was a Special Quarters
resident and community activist
who is honoured for his role in
promoting hygienic conditions in
the area
• Sonwabile – ‘we are happy’
• Simunye – ‘we are one’
• Price Siqwana – the late Price
Siqwana community leader and
activist advocated the provision of
electricity.
If the Executive Mayor supports these
names, they will be recommended to
Council for a final decision.
Herron said, “The naming of public
spaces, residential units and roads,
among others, is pivotal in building
a shared community across differ-
ent cultural, social and economic
groups.”
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