Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
South African Kruger National Park The name may change as local politicians debate the future of the game reserve.
The popular safari spot, home to the Big Five, is a pillar South Africa‘s tourism industry, attracting almost one million visitors Every year.
In 1926, the wildlife sanctuary, originally Sabi Game Reserve, was renamed in honor of Paul Kruger, former President of the South African Republic.
Kruger is a controversial figure seen by some as a symbol of resistance against British colonialism and by others as a reminder of the country’s racist past.
South African opposition party representatives economic freedom fighter (EFF) tabled a motion in the Mpumalanga province legislature to change Kruger’s name in September, reported BBC News,
Since the end of apartheid in the early 90s and the formation of a democratic government in 1994, many South African cities, towns and streets have been issued with new names.
according to BBC NewsThe EFF group says changing the park’s name would remove its racist connotations.
EFF representative Rulani Qibi reportedly said in a speech: “How can we celebrate our heritage as South Africans when we still have our beautiful national parks named after the architect of apartheid, Paul Kruger,” the outlet reported.
The EFF originally suggested the name Skukuza, “he who cleans” in the Tsonga language, as an alternative name for the Kruger National Park.
However, the nickname given to the park’s first warden, James Stevenson-Hamilton, was actually due to his role in exterminating black communities living on the land in the early days.
Collen Sedibe, the EFF leader in Mpumalanga, admitted the group had made a mistake, the South African publication reports. sunday world,
“We are still negotiating with the land claimants and people living there in the Kruger National Park because they said Skukuza is not the right name. He was the same person who kicked them out of the park,” Sedibe said.
African lobby group AfriForum The EFF called the motion “cheap politics and evidence that political power-hunger in the province outweighs informed or responsible decision-making”.
Marais de Waal of AfriForum said: “This will likely confuse international tourists and ultimately damage the country’s reputation as a tourist destination – while SANParks faces major conservation challenges. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the attempt to rename the park is a blatant attempt to score political points.”
AfriForum said it would oppose all attempts to rename the national park.
According to South Africa’s Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation, the proposal reflects a political position but “does not override or replace the official naming process”, spokeswoman Sibongile Nkosi explained. sunday world,
“The Mpumalanga Provincial Geographical Names Committee (PGNC) accepts the motion passed by the provincial legislature. However, we emphasize that no formal application has been submitted to the PGNC at this stage to rename Kruger National Park,” Nkosi said.
Linda Grimbeek, CEO of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism, called the park proposal “a joke”.
he said per sunday world: “We never thought that someone would come up with such an unresearched proposal.
“The Kruger Park is an iconic destination. If you go anywhere abroad and talk to people, they will know Kruger before they know anything about South Africa. It would be redundant to rename such an iconic place.”
The proposals will go through an extensive legal process managed by the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), leading to public consultation.
For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast