Transport minister Fikile Mbalula said the government was considering the renaming.
The airports affected are Cape Town International Airport, East London Airport, Port Elizabeth International Airport and Kimberley Airport.
The renaming was in response to a parliamentary question posed by EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu this week.
Mbalula said this was in line with the South African Geographical Names Council Act of 1998 and is part of the Transformation of Heritage Landscape Government Programme.
According to the act, the arts and culture minister is responsible for the approval of geographical names after receiving recommendations from the SA Geographical Names Council (SAGNC).
“The SAGNC is only responsible for geographical features of national concern including, but not limited to, towns, cities, suburbs and any form of human settlement, post offices, stations, highways, airports and government dams. SAGNC is also responsible for natural landforms like mountains, hills, rivers, streams, bays, headlands and islands,” said Mbalula.
ACSA
It is not clear when the changes are set to be made but Mbalula said the Airports Company SA (ACSA) had appointed an independent public participation consultant to facilitate a transparent public participation process.
A report outlining the methodology is undertaken to ensure a transparent public participation process, as well as the outcome of proposals, has been submitted to the department of transport and is being considered by the department.
Mabula said further,
“The report entails among others, the issuance of an advert in the print media and radio broadcasts to solicit name proposals, the public hearing event, how comments were collected and the results of the public input.”
The Airports Affected
The following airports are under consideration:
- Cape Town International Airport becomes: Winnie Madikizela International Airport.
- Port Elizabeth Airport becomes: Gqeberha Airport.
- East London Airport becomes: King Phalo Airport.
- Kimberly Airport becomes: Ulysses Gogi Modise Airport
Last year, the EFF mobilised a campaign for the renaming of Cape Town International airport to Winnie Mandela International Airport.
The party said naming the airport after Madikizela-Mandela would be a great honour to the late struggle stalwart.
Under questioning by the EFF and DA political parties, Mbalula replied,
“A report on the renaming of airports is being considered by the department of transport, including the outcome of public submissions with respect to the renaming of Cape Town International Airport.”
The DA in the Eastern Cape strongly opposed the proposed name change for the East London Airport to King Phalo Airport.
Residents have been given 21 days to object to or say on the planned renaming of the airport which expires Monday 21 September.
The DA’s coastal constituency leader, Chantel King, said the renaming of the airport will not increase tourism, boost investment, improve service delivery, create employment, or eradicate the problems residents face daily.
Chantel King said in a statement,
“Instead of spending millions on new signage, the money should be used to improve the lives of the people of the Buffalo City. We will not stand idly by and watch how millions of rand are wasted on frivolous name changes with money that can rather be used to improve the lives of residents.”
The renaming of airports also coincides with renaming of towns and cities.
Many argue that the renaming will be a waste of time and money, which could rather be spent elsewhere for the people of South Africa.
Should the name changes be implemented, then the IATA and ICAO names will be needed to change for all those airports affected.
For example Port Elizabeth Airport is registered as PLZ under IATA, and as FAPE under ICAO.
Previous Names
Port Elizabeth International Airport was formerly known as H. F. Verwoerd Airport while East London Airport was known as Ben Schoeman Airport.
Cape Town International was called DF Malan International Airport, and Kimberly Airport remained the same.
South Africa has other International airports such as King Shaka International Airport situated in Durban, Gauteng has OR Tambo International Airport and not forgetting the world famous Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.
