South Africa debate changes the name of the world -famous reserve

The world -renowned Krueger National Park in South Africa can become a new name if some local politicians have their way.

The huge wildlife sanctuary, called Sabi’s Game Reserve at that time, was diverted in 1926 to honor Paul Kruger. He was president in the late 19th century by what was known as the South African Republic, which is part of the present Eastern of South Africa.

For Africani, descendants of 17th -century European settlers, Krueger is revered as a hero who leads the resistance to British colonialism.

But for the greater part of the South Africans, it is regarded as a relic of the country’s racist past, as it was one of the responsible for the expulsion of Black Africans from their land and the exclusion of having the word in the rule of the republic.

Many South African cities, cities, roads and other major infrastructure receive new names from the end of the legalized racial discrimination system known as apartheid, and the beginning of the Democratic Age in 1994, though sometimes contradictory, the decisions are justified as a way to break what is previously brought – and the apar.

But the proposed change of Kruger’s name is not only affected by history, and can also be relevant to the fragile economy of the country.

The National Park, the Elephant House, Lions, Hippo, Leopards and many other animals, attracts almost a million visitors a year and is jewelry in the crown of the tourism industry in South Africa.

Some claim that changing Krueger’s name may endanger this.

Part of the park is in MPumalanga province in September as the country marked a month of inheritance, representatives of opposition economic freedom fighters (EFF) presented a proposal in the region’s legislation to change Krueger’s name.

“How to celebrate our heritage as South Africans, when we still have our beautiful national parks named after Apartheid architect Paul Krueger,” EF Rulani Qhibi’s representative quoted in a stirring speech. Although not historically accurate, as the apartheid in its legal form was introduced decades after Kruger’s death, rhetoric reflects the way it is viewed by some.

The EFR also offered the renaming of other key landmarks in the province, including Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

But in their hurry to remove the Krueger Association with the park, the EFR, whose national leader is MP from Julius Malema Fire BrandEnd another problematic name: Skukuza.

Skukuza, which means that “the one who sweeps the pure” in Tsonga’s language, was the nickname given to the first park guards, James Stevenson-Hamilton, who was known for drove poachers and black communities who lived in the park in their early days.

The EFF leader in MPumalanga, Collen Sedibe, was quoted in South African Sunday World, admitting the party’s rough.

“We are still committed to the plaintiffs on the ground in Krueger National Park and the people who stayed there because they said that Skukuza was not the right name. He was the man who kicked them out of the park,” Sedibe said.

The Africa lobbying group Afriforum has condemned EFF’s proposal as “cheap policy and proof that the hunger of political power in the province exceeds informed or responsible decision -making.”

The group vowed to install legal challenges to all attempts to rename the park without a proper process and explode the EFR to criticize its namesake.

“The Krueger National Park was created thanks to Krueger’s vision (s) to ignore Krueger’s contribution to the creation of the country’s most important national park … is an opportunistic and grossly spreading lies,” Afriforum said.

The proposal to change the name was accepted by the provincial legislative body after receiving support from its largest parties – the African National Congress (ANC), which is in power on a national scale, and Umchonto Wesis.

Although it is not legal binding, as there is a national process through which any change of name has to go through, violators have warned that if approved, it can harm the tourism sector, which contributes almost 9% to the country’s economy.

This may have “serious consequences … It may even allow the international recognition of this park and South Africa as a tourist destination that we have built over so many years,” said tourism expert Prof. Elmari Medbert to the BBC.

There will also be costs to have to rebrand the park.

The academician, a scientific director at the School for Tourism Management at the Northwestern University, admitted that “we must honor the heritage of the indigenous population.”

“But the effect on the economy will be so significant that we have to decide where to spend our money. We have such a high rate of unemployment at this point that I believe that the money should go there.”

More than 30% of the working -age population is unemployed – ranked by the World Bank as one of the highest unemployment rate of each country – and the unemployment of youth is even higher.

But the economy is not the only basis on which decisions have been made to change names.

The need to deal with inequalities in the country’s past is regarded as vital.

For example, the name of former Prime Minister Hendrick Vervor, a key figure in the implementation of apartheid, has been removed from many places.

Other changes include Port Elizabeth. Called to the wife of a 19th century British employee, it is now called GQEBERHA, the word Xhosa for the river that runs through it. The city of King William, after William IV, is now Qonce, citing a river.

Johannesburg International Airport, once known as Jan Smuts, a former prime minister, now called or Tambo, after the leader of the Anti-Parteid and the former President of the ANC.

Some cities, such as the capital, Pretoria, have retained their managers, but the areas of local self -government they come to have been renamed.

Many other renaming ideas are being driven, including changing the name of the city city of Capeside Port Alfred, who commemorates Queen Victoria’s second son. Some have even suggested that the name of Azania’s side be changed.

Many of these proposals have divided public opinion and to ensure that the changes are not made only by fad, there is an extensive legal process that must be completed.

It is managed by the South Africa Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) and begins with an application or from individuals, communities or institutions to the provincial branch of the body.

The proposal is discussed and can lead to public consultation. Once this is completed, the name change plan is sent to the national office.

If it is thought to meet the “all requirements”, then a recommendation of the Minister of Sport, the Arts and the Culture for the final decision will be made, Sagnc chairman said Machosi before the BBC.

“What is happening here (in MPumalanga legislation) does not go according to what the national act says … (s) is a political assessment,” he said.

As a national landmark and the fact that different government services will have to have the word, Krueger is a unique case, added Dr. Mhos.

Then there are several bureaucratic obstacles that must be agreed before the name Krueger ever disappears from the tourist brochures.

But the debate revealed the sensitivity that continues to exist about how to deal with the country’s past and the heritage of those who rule it.