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DA Rejects Sandton Drive Name Change Blame Amid EFF’s Defiance
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has strongly denied claims by City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Mayor Dada Morero that the party is responsible for the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive. The DA welcomed the city’s decision to reopen public consultations and bring a motion to council to reverse what it calls the “frivolous” name change.
DA Johannesburg Caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku dismissed the allegations, clarifying that the renaming was originally proposed by Al Jama-Ah in 2018. “Had it been implemented, the street would have been renamed City of Ramallah Drive. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) later took over the motion and suggested renaming it to Leila Khaled Drive,” she explained.
Controversy Over Sandton Drive Name Change
The issue resurfaced after a DA motion to reverse the renaming was withdrawn from council in January. The proposed name change has drawn significant opposition, particularly because Leila Khaled, a Palestinian liberation figure, was involved in plane hijackings in 1969. Given the presence of the US Embassy on Sandton Drive, the decision has sparked concerns over potential diplomatic fallout, especially as tensions between South Africa and the US continue to rise.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku criticized Morero, accusing him of using the public participation process as a delaying tactic rather than scrapping the motion altogether. She pointed out that Morero’s own caucus had supported the motion alongside the EFF and other parties.
Picture: Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images
EFF Insists on Renaming Despite Diplomatic Concerns
While the DA and others seek to halt the renaming, the EFF has urged the City of Johannesburg to proceed with the process “without compromise, apology, or fear.” The party argued that backing down would betray South Africa’s commitment to revolutionary principles.
The EFF accused the US and its allies of trying to discredit freedom fighters like Khaled while ignoring human rights abuses committed against Palestinians. The party insisted that renaming Sandton Drive was not just a symbolic gesture but an act of defiance against imperialism, reinforcing South Africa’s support for the oppressed.
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Dismissing concerns that the name change could strain diplomatic relations with Washington, the EFF noted that the US had already taken punitive actions against South Africa due to its stance on Palestine. The party pointed to former US President Donald Trump’s decision to expel South Africa’s ambassador and his nomination of a “right-wing white supremacist” as the next US ambassador to the country.
The EFF concluded that South Africa must resist foreign pressure and remain committed to recognizing figures like Khaled, who, in their view, represent the fight against oppression.
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Sourced:Polity
