September 3, 2003
By Lucille Davie
TEN names reflecting modern artists and musicians have been proposed as new street names in Newtown, following a council decision in February to change the names to reflect a broader spectrum of South African performers and their contribution to society.
In April this year an advertisement invited feedback and submissions from interested parties regarding the intention to rename the streets. The advert was placed in City Press, The Sowetan and The Sunday Times Metro.
Seventeen submissions were received from the public. Ten submissions opposed the renaming of Pim Street, stating that Howard Pim was "an important personality in establishing and developing Newtown", and that the renaming would be inconvenient and expensive for the businesses along Pim Street, resulting in a loss of income.
Pim was an accountant who originally came to South Africa from England in 1890 to work for Cecil John Rhodes. He belonged to the National Party but when he lost several elections he turned to municipal and charitable work. His most memorable contributions were as governor of the University of Fort Hare, and co-founder of the South African Institute of Race Relations. A suburb of Soweto has been named after him, Pimville.
Another submission, from the Johannesburg Roads Agency, proposed the name of Nhlanhla Xaba, an artist and art teacher who died in a studio blaze in March.
One of the submissions took the form of a petition with 83 signatures proposing the names of six female artists, some still alive: Miriam Makeba, Margaret Mcingana, Bonnie Ntshalintshali, Mmakgabo Mapula (Helen) Sebidi, Noria Mabasa, and Dolly Rathebe.
Another five submissions were received but were not considered because they were either late or for streets outside of Newtown.
The adjudication panel consisted of the City Manager's Office, the Market Theatre, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, the Johannesburg Development Agency, the City's Legal Services, the Department of Marketing and Tourism, and the Department of Planning, Transportation and Environment.
After debate, the Mayoral Committee decided to take into account the submission with names of living persons, despite a ruling that no names of living persons should be included. The committee took into account the following:
- the "national and international recognition and respect given to these living artists";
- the "major contributions made by these living artists to the development, promotion and celebration of the arts, culture and heritage";
- that the "inclusion of the names of these artists will enhance and promote the character of the area"; and
- the "names will increase the marketing potential and investment attractiveness of the area as a cultural tourism destination".
It was decided to include four of the female artists: Miriam Makeba, Margaret Mcingana, Noria Mabasa and Dolly Rathebe. The final name changes suggested are:
| CURRENT | PROPOSED |
| West Street | Ntemi Piliso |
| Becker/Reynolds Street | Gerard Sekoto |
| Bezuidenhout Street | Miriam Makeba |
| Wolhuter Street | Margaret Mcingana |
| Pim Street | Gwigwi Mrwebi |
| Goch Street | Henry Nxumalo |
| Sydenham Street | Noria Mabasa |
| Avenue Street | Dolly Rathebe |
| Park Road | Barney Simon |
| Minnaar Street | Mahlathini |
There is no legislative requirement for the City of Johannesburg to compensate affected parties for costs involved in the renaming of streets. Compensation for expenses incurred can be claimed from the Receiver of Revenue as "such expenses are tax deductible in terms of the Income Tax Act". Furthermore, affected parties who wish to claim compensation for loss of income, have to prove they have suffered damages as a result of the renaming of streets.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency is the implementing body and will pick up the cost of the renaming. Preliminary estimates come in at R150 000, but as no provision has been made for the costs in this year's budget, the name changes are likely to take place in the next financial year.
Before final implementation, the following stakeholders will be consulted: Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, the surveyor-general, the postmaster general, the South African Police Services, Telkom, the City's emergency services, the City's revenue department, and the families of the artists whose names are to be used.
The proposed name changes will now go for approval to the council meeting on Thursday 25 September. Once approved, the artists and the families of the artists will be contacted for their consent.
Click here for a map of Newtown
Artists and musicians to be honoured in Newtown
Ntemi Piliso
Known simply as Bra Ntemi, he created the African Jazz Pioneers and the Alexandra All Star Band in the 50s. He died at the age of 75 in 2000.
Gerard Sekoto
Rated as one of the pioneers of modern South African art, Sekoto went into exile in 1947, but continued to portray his home country in his paintings. He died in 1993.
Miriam Makeba
Makeba has become one of South Africa's cultural icons, honoured and respected around the world for her singing and her opposition to apartheid. She lives just outside Johannesburg.
Margaret Mcingana
Popularly known as Margaret Singana, she filled the gap left by Makeba when she went into exile. She has recorded songs for films, and was the lead singer in Ipi Ntombi, making the song Mama Tembu's Wedding famous. She died in 2000.
Gwigwi Mrwebi
Mrwebi was an alto saxophonist of the 50s, achieving international acclaim.
Henry Nxumalo
Best known for his exposé of working conditions for labourers on potato farms in Bethal, he joined Drum in 1951, his incisive investigative journalism led to him being nicknamed "Mr Drum". He was stabbed to death one night by thugs while investigating an abortion scandal.
Noria Mabasa
Mabasa has been exhibiting her clay and wood sculptures since 1984. She claims that her work is inspired by figures appearing in her dreams, which she then creates. Her work can be found in galleries and private collections around South Africa, and further afield in the US, Belgium and the Netherlands. She is based in Limpopo.
Dolly Rathebe
The darling of Sophiatown in the 50s, she became known as the country's first female jazz singer and film actress, starring in Jim comes to Joburg. She's still a leading blues singer and lives just outside Pretoria.
Barney Simon
Co-founder of the Market Theatre in the 70s, Simon brought struggle theatre to Newtown, and directed many plays there. He died in 1995.
Joseph 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde
Known simply as 'Mahlathini', with a deep bass voice, he teamed up with the Mahotella Queens and single-handedly branded Mbaqanga, today a formidable African music genre. He died in 1999.
