By Motsebi Monareng

Copyright sabcnews

The renaming of the Kruger National Park will have dire consequences, according to the tourism sector in Mpumalanga.
This, after the provincial Legislature adopted a motion to rename the Kruger National Park, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and the Jan van Riebeeck Stadium in Witbank.

Other sections of the community suggest that South Africa should strive to build new opportunities, rather than dwelling on the past. They argue that the province should rather focus on other challenges, which require urgent attention.

The provincial Legislature passed the motion to change three names, including the Kruger National Park, on the eve of Heritage Day.

Provincial Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Chairperson, Collen Sedibe says, “We tabled the motion that this two institution must be renamed after our heroes rather the apartheid architecture including other stadium in Witbank Van Riebeeck Stadium what is that must be rename changed to Velly Mahlangu who was a soccer fanatic and one of the football heroes and we proposed that we name this international airport under the late DD Mabuza as Premier of Mpumalanga and deputy President of the Republic and that Kruger National Park.”

When the head ranger, James Stevenson-Hamilton, evicted the landowners from the Shingwedzi Game Reserve for animals to roam freely, they nicknamed him Skukuza. It is a Tsonga name meaning the one who sweeps clean.

The provincial Legislature Speaker, Makhosazane Masilela, says the matter will first be referred to the Whip’s Forum for consideration.

“We will refer the matter to the whip’s forum and subsequently to the committees of the legislature, and it would end in the local government where it resides. Because it must start at the local geographical names committee and must be processed, and also public participation processes, and engage the communities, how do they feel about this name change? Then it would continue to the regional geographical names committee and would continue again to the provincial geographical names committee. And at the end, it would be national if there are no dissenting views, all the people agreeing there’s no objection, they would publish the name in the national geographical name committee.”

‘Marketing disaster’

To some, the Kruger National Park represents the country in the best possible way. It is believed that changing the name would change the Park’s identity and its global recognition among others.

Some members of the public say the province has a lot of challenges that need urgent attention, and name changes are the least of their needs.

“Certain parts of the Kruger National Park have been protected by the South African government since 1898, and it officially became the Kruger National Park in 1926. It is one of our greatest tourist destinations. Changing its name would require a significant amount of money and could negatively affect tourism. Personally, unless there is a truly valuable reason to change it, I believe it should remain as it is. The Kruger National Park is a landmark, and there is no reason to change its name.”

“The name is fine. Tourists are able to learn about Paul Kruger, who established the Kruger National Park, when they visit. I don’t agree with changing it. The name Kruger National Park is alright.”

Tourism contributes considerably to the country’s GDP. Last year, 8.92 million international visitors, largely made up of African tourists, visited the country. They contributed 3.3% to the GDP.

According to Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism CEO Linda Grimbeek, the name change will spell a marketing disaster and will have dire financial consequences.

“The Kruger Park is in existance for well over 100 years, and you just imagine all the marketing that went into such a brand internationally, is running into billions of billions. And that is the core success of South Africa’s tourism. So a change of that name would have a significant negative impact. So is not about the name should be changed to but, but the fact that is such an old brand. So much money has been put behind that. It would really be a nonsensical decision in terms of business.”