March, braai to keep 'Pretoria'

2005-05-19 21:12

Pretoria - Civic group, students, retired rugby players and political party supporters are to march for the retention of Pretoria's name on Saturday, followed by a braai.

The protesters are opposed to the registration of Tshwane as a place name with the SA Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), as proposed by the metro council in March.

This would see the metropolitan area being renamed, with only the city centre remaining Pretoria.

Saturday's march, organised by a grouping calling itself Pretoria Civil Action (PCA), is to set off from Church Square at 10:30 and stretch for three city blocks to the offices of Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan.

It is due to end at 11:15, in time for the start of the rugby match between the Blue Bulls and the Waratahs, said Freedom Front Plus MP Willie Spies.

Braais on Church Square

A big screen is to be erected on Church Square for marchers to enjoy the match with a braai.

Kallie Kriel, spokesman for trade union Solidarity, said the metro council had given permission for the public to use gas braais on Church Square during the broadcast.

Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr was to lead the march, with former rugby players Uli Schmidt, Piet Uys (chairman of the Blue Bulls Old Players Association), Thys Lourens and Willie Kahts also expected to take part, said Spies.

"We are expecting anywhere between 1 000 and 5 000 people to attend the march, but one cannot really estimate as it is an open invitation.

"We are inviting everyone to attend the march, not only the rugby legends and celebrities. Everyone who wants to keep the name Pretoria should attend."

Kriel said organisations supporting the march included the Gauteng North Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Organisations (FAK), and the "Pretoria Remains Pretoria" group - consisting of 27 organisations and political parties, including the Democratic Alliance and FF Plus.

The PCA is a pressure group formed by business, cultural and trade union organisations to preserve Pretoria's name.

Spies said a petition asking for the retention of the city's name is to be handed to the arts and culture department on Saturday, as well as a similar one signed by about 3 000 University of Pretoria students.

The SAGNC is to meet on May 26 to decide whether or not to recommend the registration of the name Tshwane to Jordan, who will then put the matter to parliament.

Successful registration of the name would see it being used on road signs, in weather reports and on all official documentation.

- SAPA