The Hindu : International : Pretoria to be renamed Tshwane

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 28, 2005

International

International

Pretoria to be renamed Tshwane

PRETORIA: South Africa moved on Thursday to change the name of its capital from Pretoria to Tshwane, replacing the name of an Afrikaner hero with that of a historic African king. The National Geographical Names Council unanimously agreed to approve the new name and the Minister of Culture and Art, Pallo Jordan, is expected to ratify the decision. Council chairman Tommy Ntsewa said the approval came after the ANC-dominated group had deliberated for four hours. The name change has stirred controversy particularly among the white Afrikaner population. More than 500 marched through the capital to demand that ``Pretoria stays Pretoria''. The last white President of South Africa, FW de Klerk, denounced the name change. He said the city was named, in 1855, for a hero of the struggle against British colonialism, Andries Pretorius. President Thabo Mbeki has made clear he supports changing the name of the capital city. —

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Suicide blast close to Premier's residence rattles authorities

Senate delays vote on John Bolton

BBC staff call off planned strike

Pretoria to be renamed Tshwane

British system "stripping sub-Sahara of health staff"

Chirac makes final bid to swing E.U. vote

"LTTE's air assets a threat to Sri Lanka"

Kalam brushes aside protocol

Switzerland remains non-committal

We were upset when Vajpayee lost: Kasuri

Caucus to appeal for Manmohan's address