By Joseph Chirume.<\/p>\n
Qgeberha<\/p>\n
One of Nelson Mandela Bay\u2019s veteran councillors, Thembinkosi Mafana has added another feather to his cap after being appointed to the prestigious Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC).<\/p>\n
Cllr Mafana, who is the current Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, is an experienced politician and administrator who has served in several coalition governments at the Town House.<\/p>\n
The appointment was recently made by the Eastern Cape MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Hon. Sibulele Ngongo, is in terms of Section 2(2)(a) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No. 118 of 1998).<\/p>\n
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality\u2019s Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, extended her congratulations to Cllr Mafana as she unpacked what this prestigious appointment meant to the residents of the Metro.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Committee ensures that the naming of streets, towns, and public places reflects our history, culture, and heritage. It provides opportunities for communities to be part of naming processes, ensuring inclusivity and recognition of diverse identities. It strengthens the preservation of indigenous languages and historical memory, giving future generations a sense of pride and belonging,\u201d said Cllr Lobishe.<\/p>\n
The Mayor added that the recognition not only affirms Cllr Mafana\u2019s leadership\u00a0prowess, but also brings residents closer to shaping Nelson Mandela Bay and a province that honours its people, history, and shared identity.<\/p>\n
Nobubele Nongo, a resident of Motherwell is glad that a local person has been appointed as this will make it easier for residents to know who to approach when submitting their preferred name changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a good development because last time when names like Gqeberha and David Stuurman Airport were proposed, many people did not know that there were public hearings around to have those names. We only learnt after everything was done. So I hope Cllr Mafana will use local radio stations, councillors and even social media to inform residents in advance about public hearings in their areas,\u201d said Nongo.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cI wish Cllr Mafana the absolute best in this new role, and I am confident that he will continue to represent Nelson Mandela Bay proudly in the ECPGNC,\u201d concluded Cllr Lobishe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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