The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called on Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to begin processes to change the name of Harrismith in the Free State due to its cultural sensitivities.
According to BusinessTech, the ATM requested this of McKenzie in a recent parliamentary Q&A, revealing that towns named after historical figures who caused harm to the local indigenous population should be changed.
MP for the Movement, Vuyolwethu Zungula, revealed that the name ‘Harrismith’ was an unpleasant reminder to the AmaXhosa Kingdom in particular, as it was their King, Hintsa kaKhawuta, who was captured and killed in 1835 by Governor Harry Smith, whom the town was named after.
Harrismith to possibly be renamed
Harrismith itself has faced similar calls for name changes before, with proposals put forth as early as 2005, with Intabazwe being the preferred name choice.
Another proposal was put forward in 2014/15, but did not find support from local communities, who petitioned to keep the name the same.
Founded in 1849, Harrismith was named after British Governor Sir Harry Smith. The incredibly old South African town played a role during the Anglo-Boer War and still has some heritage buildings that reflect its colonial past.
Minister McKenzie, in response to Zungula’s proposal, said that it was not the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s responsibility to initiate name changes in the country.
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