The Grahamstown name change process has been ongoing for more than three years. These are some of the key dates and developments along the way. See http://www.grocotts.co.za/content/grahamstown-name-change-timeline-11-11-2010
Created by michaelsalzwedel on 15/11/2010
Last updated: 15/11/10 at 15:12
Tags: grahamstown makana irhini nxele grahamstown name change
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The KGG responds, disputing that the outcome of the public participation process was as it was claimed to be.
Municipal spokesperson Thandy Matebese issues a statement saying that the outcome of the public consultation process was "overwhelmingly against retaining the name of Grahamstown" and that a soon-to-be-appointed "new Name Change Task Team (NCTT)" is to take over from the 'old NCTT' and will decide the matter as an 'independent authority'.
The Chairperson of the ECGNC, Adv Loyiso Mpumlwana, is quoted as saying that he had received a submission for "a community pushing for the name of Grahamstown to be changed". It is confirmed that 'the community' was Mr Lwana's Mayoral Committee of which Councillor Julie Wells is also a member.
Councillor Wells is quoted in the press as saying that the naming issue is 'far from dead' and that an announcement can be expected very soon. "It's a question of adjusting to new key role players and lines of discussion", she says.
Phumelelo Kate is replaced by Vumile Lwana as the Makana Mayor.
Councillor Wells announces that the name change issue had been 'taken back' by the Makana Mayor, Mr Kate.
the Makana Municipality issues a media statement calling for further "inputs on the question of changing the name of Grahamstown" to be made by 20 June 2008.
A scheduled imbizo at the City Hall is abandoned due to a lack of attendance and the Chairperson of the NTT, Councillor Julie Wells, announces that the public consultation process has become 'open-ended'.
A new public consultation process and 'education' campaign is announced, commencing with an indaba on 1 March 2008 and followed by a month of 'consultation and debate' after which the NTT will make a recommendation to the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee. The Institute for Social & Economic Research at Rhodes University issues the results of a research survey of Grahamstown township residents indicating that most respondents are not in favour of the name change
New deadline expires; the only substantial submission is still that of the KGG supported by nearly 4 500 signatures, emails & smses. No meeting of the NTT is convened and the KGG receives no response to its submission.
The NTT's deadline expires, with only one substantial submission, that of the KGG. The deadline for submissions is extended to 26 November 2007
The "Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown" (KGG) campaign is launched.
A 'snap poll' is conducted in Grahamstown and 78% of the respondents favour keeping the name Grahamstown.
Makana Mayor Phumelelo Kate announces that the name 'Grahamstown' is offensive and 'must go'. - The deadline for submissions to the Makana Municipality's Naming Task Team (NTT) is set for 14 November 2007.
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