Pretoria name change approved
2005-05-26 16:37
Bloemfontein - A recommendation that Pretoria's name be changed to Tshwane was unanimously approved by the national geographical names council on Thursday.
Tommy Ntsewa, chair of the council, said the approval for recommendation was granted after thorough deliberation and interrogation of the application.
The council took four hours to approve the recommendation.
The council is sitting in Bloemfontein to consider 35 name changes at a two-day meeting.
Mayor Smangaliso Mkhatshwa has argued that changing the name of the capital to Tshwane will underscore South Africa's break with apartheid in 1994.
Pretoria was named after Andries Pretorius, who settled on the site with the Voortrekkers.
Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan is expected to approve the name change.
- SAPA