A NUMBER of streets in the Newtown Cultural Precinct have been renamed in honour of some of the country's cultural icons.
November 12, 2004
By Ndaba Dlamini
JOHANNESBURG Mayor, Amos Masondo, has officially announced the renaming of 10 Newtown streets after a number of South African cultural icons.
Masondo made the proclamation at Gramadoelas, an upmarket restaurant at the Market Theatre complex in Newtown, on Wednesday, 10 November. Among those present were the renowned Limpopo sculptor, Noria Mabasa, and family members and friends of some of the artists to be honoured.
The decision to rename the streets in the Newtown cultural precinct - "to reflect a broader spectrum of South African artists" - was taken in February 2003. The City envisages that more streets in the area will be renamed in future.
The 10 new names were painted on kerbs in the area on 22 September by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), a self-contained company owned by the City and responsible for the design, maintenance, repair and development of Johannesburg's road network, traffic lights and signage.
Masondo said the Newtown cultural precinct signified "a City in a state of regeneration and urban renewal". He added: "Today, the inner city can be likened to a massive construction site. Our vision is to build Johannesburg into a world-class African city, part of which entails positioning it as the cultural hub of the African continent."
The renaming occurs at an important juncture in the country's history, when South Africans are celebrating 10 years of freedom and democracy.
"Together, irrespective of colour, creed and race, South Africans, step-by-step, are decisively moving towards the creation of a shared national identity and the arts continue to play a crucial role in this process," Masondo said.
He said Johannesburg was privileged to posthumously honour Ntemi Piliso, Gerald Sekoto, Dolly Rathebe, Mahlathini Nkabinde, Margaret Mcingana, Gwigwi Mrwebi, Henry Nxumalo and Barney Simon by renaming some of Newtown's streets after them.
"We also honour Mama Miriam Makeba, the legendary daughter of Africa, and Noria Mabasa," he said
Bezuidenhout Street has been changed to Miriam Makeba Street and Sydenham Street is now called Noria Mabasa Street. Other name changes are:
- Becker Street to Gerard Sekoto Street
- Minaar Street to Mahlathini Street
- West Street to Ntemi Piliso Street.
- Pim Street to Gwigwi Mrwebi Street.
- Goch Street to Henry Nxumalo Street
- Wolhuter Street to Margaret Mcingana Street
- Avenue Road to Dolly Rathebe Road
- Park Road to Barney Simon Road
Solomon Khoza, a friend of the Makeba family, said the family was honoured and very happy at the name change. "Miriam is our mother. She has shown all and sundry that she is a heroine and we will never forget this. We are here because of her and sometimes I wish I was like her."
Makeba could not attend the event as she was abroad, Khoza said.
Mabasa was ecstatic: "I have no words to describe my feelings. I am very happy. God bless."
Florence and Mzwandile Piliso described Ntemi Piliso as "a very humble person … he was a person who loved his music and a shoulder to lean on to all members of the family. We are grateful to receive this honour on his behalf."
After the renaming event, Masondo attended the memorial service of one of South Africa's "greatest theatrical icons", Gibson Kente, at the Market Theatre. Kente died at the age 72 at his Soweto home on Sunday 7 November.
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