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Outrage over proposed renaming of Sandton Drive after Leila Khaled
The City of Johannesburg’s proposal to rename Sandton Drive after an infamous Palestinian plane hijacker has sparked a divisive debate that cuts across political lines.
Renaming the road “Leila Khaled Drive” is viewed by many as a gross violation of the city’s own renaming policies, and a waste of money. Businesses and residents are outraged at the attempt to glorify violence and extremism in the heart of Sandton’s business district.
Khaled, 80, is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, an internationally designated terrorist organisation. She is known as the poster girl of Palestinian militancy for her role in hijacking TWA flight 840 from Rome to Tel Aviv in 1969, as well as many other terrorist activities.
“To venerate violence and honour such an individual is an affront to peace-loving South Africans, including the Jewish community in Johannesburg,” says Rolene Marks, spokesperson for the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF). On its behalf, she condemned the proposal as “malicious”, “divisive”, and “deliberately provocative”.
Sandton Drive is home to the United States Consulate and is within walking distance of several synagogues and Jewish schools.
The Joburg metro announced the proposal on 18 September, urging interested and affected people or parties to submit their comments or representations within 28 days.
They have until 15 October to lodge objections.
The protracted renaming saga dates back to 2018 when now failed mayor Thapelo Amad (then councillor of the minor Al Jama-ah political party, which at the time held one out of 270 seats in the Johannesburg City Council) brought the troublesome motion before the council. Amad stepped down as mayor last year on the eve of a motion of no confidence in him. He had sparked controversy soon after 7 October when he posed with an assault rifle and a flag with the Hamas logo, proudly posting: “We stand with Hamas, Hamas stands with us, together we are Palestin [sic] and Palestin [sic] will be free. With our souls, with our blood, we will conquer Al Aqsa.”
The original motion in 2018 was rejected by the Democratic Alliance and other parties, but they were outnumbered when the Economic Freedom Fighters and the African National Congress voted in favour.
Fast forward seven years – which have included a few Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions SA protests calling for a speedy name change – and the matter has once again reared its head.
The proposal has been met with widespread opposition from several parties, including ActionSA.
Its Gauteng chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, says he believes “Sandton Drive” is a perfectly neutral and unifying name. It is perfectly appropriate for a heterogeneous and cosmopolitan society such as Johannesburg.
“As ActionSA, we will leave no stone unturned to lobby all political parties in the City of Johannesburg to vote against this proposal as we believe it offers no benefits whatsoever to the residents of our great city.”
Ngobeni says the party is not against the renaming of public landmarks to reinforce the City’s heritage, as it honours those who have played a significant role in history and strengthens our collective identity.
But he expressed concern about the challenges the metro is grappling with, including service delivery failures, crippling water shortages, rampant unemployment, severe housing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, and rising crime rates.
He says these pressing challenges require urgent attention, rather than the renaming of a street.
Democratic Alliance Councillor Martin Williams has been following the saga closely since 2018, and says the renaming “serves no purpose other than to antagonise significant sections of the community.”
Williams notes how the proposed naming is in direct contravention of its policies.
According to these policies, “Naming after living people should be avoided, because community attitudes and opinions can change over time”; and “names should not be discriminatory or derogatory from the point of view of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or gender, colour, creed, political affiliation or other social factors to any community or section of a community; names should promote goodwill and reconciliation; names should promote a sense of ownership and the character of an area”.
He says no-one has demonstrated how Khaled has contributed to the development of Johannesburg.
Councillor Lynda Shackleford says she had been inundated with calls from irate Sandton residents, many of whom suffer regular water outages because of persistent problems with the city’s ageing infrastructure.
“My phone has not stopped ringing. The city is thinking of changing the name of a road that leads you to Sandton, thereby taking Sandton off the map, It’s illogical,” she says.
Marks says the name change appears deliberately provocative towards the US Consulate located on Sandton Drive, potentially discouraging American investment in Johannesburg.
She says Khaled’s infamy extends beyond failed hijackings. “She continues to advocate for violence and terror against Israelis to this day. In recent years, she has made statements supporting ‘resistance in all its forms, first and foremost through armed struggle’.”
She says the SAZF condemns the City of Johannesburg’s apparent attempt to appease extremist minorities at the expense of offending a significant portion of the city’s residents.
“This political manoeuvre is viewed as both malicious and counterproductive, especially during a time when the nation should be celebrating its unique history and unity,” she says.
The recommended route for objections by email is to the relevant City official, dominicaM@joburg.org.za
Please cc your councillor. In the case of Ward 90 that is martcw7@gmail.com
Most of Sandton Drive is within Ward 90. You can also email Lynda Shackleford at jhbward103@gmail.com
If using email, please include full name and cell number. Preferably also ID and address.
POPIA Act to be observed. Info used only for purposes of Sandton Drive issue.
Williams says people are free to say whatever they choose but suggests challenging the City on adherence to its own policy on the “Naming and Renaming of Streets and Other Public Places in the City of Johannesburg”.
Jeffrey Schaffer
September 26, 2024 at 3:56 pm
I am furious that Islamist Jihadists have once again tried to raise the profile of one of their terrorists in our city. It is completely against the spirit of our country, to elevate the name of an international terrorist, into the lives of those of us who live in Sandton. This type of blatant disregard for the majority of our people, is just typical of these radical Jihadists. Send them back to Afghanistan, where they can live among their own people, sharing their shared chosen ideology.
J. Schaffer
Ryan
September 27, 2024 at 8:55 am
There is a street in Tel Aviv named after Menachem Begin. He was a terrorist at one stage of his life.
yitzchak
September 27, 2024 at 9:16 am
well there you have it.
The US consulate will be 1 Leila Khaled Drive.
And the newly renamed Drive will end at Winny Mandela Drive.
I am applying for a billboard marketing Used aircraft tyres at the intersection. Free petrol for a fiery necklacing to deal with counter revolutionaries.
The last messengers of Satan.
\
Ramaphosa’s UN diatribe? Where would he be without the anti apartheid card? Now flashed at Israel!
And Abbas? He referred to the “transient state of Israel” and the Right of Return of the 1948 resolution 194 UNGA which ALL MOSLEM AND ARAB COUNTRIES OPPOSED.
They demand polio vaccine but health workers are murdered in Pakistan and Afghanistan for administering OPV.
Where’s the protest amongst our locals.?
There are so many potholes in Joeyies that they now have a new sign: “Beware of the road”
solly
September 30, 2024 at 10:26 am
Renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive has sparked intense debate, with many opposing the move due to Leila Khaled’s controversial past as a plane hijacker and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), considered a terrorist organization by several countries . However, it’s essential to look beyond her past and consider the broader context.
Leila Khaled’s actions were part of a larger struggle for Palestinian liberation, and her iconic status represents resistance against oppression . Renaming the drive after her would honor her contributions to the fight for freedom and self-determination.
Moreover, critics like the US and SAJBD should acknowledge their own complex histories before condemning Leila Khaled . The US has been involved in numerous conflicts, and its support for Israel’s actions in Palestine has contributed to ongoing violence and displacement , it’s complicity in the current ongoing GENOCIDE . Similarly, the SAJBD’s opposition raises questions about its stance on Palestinian rights and self-determination.
Key Points in Favor of the Name Change
– _Honoring Palestinian Resistance_: Leila Khaled’s legacy symbolizes the struggle for Palestinian freedom and self-determination.
– _Challenging Double Standards_: Critics should acknowledge their own complex histories before condemning Leila Khaled.
– _Promoting Dialogue and Awareness_: The name change could foster discussions about Palestinian rights, self-determination, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ultimately, renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive presents an opportunity for Johannesburg to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and acknowledge their struggle for freedom and self-determination.
Schalk Schutte
October 1, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Palistinians are not interested in peaceful negotiations to share Palistine with the original inhabitants,the Jews who lived there since 2500 years ago, and was removed by the ARABS about 200 years ago. They are only interested in removing the entire Israel out of Palistine. They consistently decline Israeli offers to make peace and continue their terrorist activities against Israel. How can you ignore the killing, raping, burning of children and taking of hostages, and firing thousands of rockets at Israel!
LORRAINE BOTHA
October 1, 2024 at 3:19 pm
I am completely against it. We must stick to the name Sandton Drive that is acceptable to everyone. What next will these people come up with? Concentrate on running the city and not wasting money and divisive name changes.
hanif manjoo
October 2, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Mahomed Manjoo
Attachments
3:04 PM (30 minutes ago)
to dominicam
Hi!
RE; SANDTON DRIVE RENAME TO LEILA KHALED
As a struggle veteran, Griqua/KhoiSan descendant and community leader, I fully support the re-naming to Leila Khaled.
1. During our struggle, the Palestinians stood with and supported our comrades, while Israel armed and supported the apartheid regime against our people.
2. It is ironic (and hypocrisy) that the majority of objectors; DA, ACDP, PA, ActionSA, etc., mostly whites and/or Christians.
These same people are totally against and critical of the BELA Bill, banning of prayers in schools, LGBTQ, Satanist Church recognition, racism, etc; are the ones that support the Zionist apartheid regime where Tel Aviv is the capital of LGBTQ, drugs, trafficking, paedophiles, debauchery, Satanism, etc.
During apartheid, while Christian Lebanese, Egyptians, Syrians, Greeks, etc were classified as privileged whites, Muslims from these countries were termed ‘Other Coloureds’ and treated as blacks/non-whites!
That mentality and discrimination persists to this day in our country.
3. The same lot that vociferously supports the Zionist Israel’s rights to illegal occupation, genocide and land theft are opposed to and/or silent on the genocide of our Khoi and San ancestors, rape and land theft for retribution.
4. They unilaterally term Palestinians as terrorists; really? Which court in our country declared whether Hamas or other as terrorists? In fact, even the United Nations has not.
Rather, the world’s unofficial terrorists are both the United States and Israel.
Finally, if the petition or objectors refer to Leila Khaled as a terrorist, they should be called upon to verify such as it’s highly defamatory and fuels hatred among our people who do not share their racist and supremacist views, which reeks of coloniser baaskap mentality.
If they cannot and there is no such legal decision/precedent, then the objections should be rejected as based on false premise.
In conclusion, our icon Nelson Mandela was branded a terrorist, and countries have named streets and other places in his honour. Many visit Nelson Mandela statue in Rosebank (as example), pose and take pictures; adulation of a terrorist?
Cognitive dissonance seems a serious mental problem in our country; not so?
With regards
HAJEE HANIF MANJOO
Kindly acknowledge receipt, tnx.
Russ
October 5, 2024 at 1:34 am
What next ?
Osama bin laden street?
How insane are the council members?
Not only naming a street after a plane hijacker , but also a woman who has nothing to do with the city or the country
mikael eclstone
October 17, 2024 at 3:08 pm
mr/mrs Schalk Schutte
From where on earth do you get your hogswallop history. perhaps its from joan peters or her intellectual descendants.