The GOOD Party has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of political “spin” and delaying justice after a motion to rename PW Botha Boulevard was referred to the municipal administration during a heated council meeting this week.
In a statement issued on Friday, GOOD George councillor Chantelle Kyd criticised the DA’s handling of the motion, saying the party had misrepresented its position to the public while effectively supporting the same principles behind the proposal.
The motion, which sought to initiate a process to rename the road currently bearing the name of former apartheid president P. W. Botha, was not adopted outright but instead referred to the administration for further handling. According to Kyd, the motion explicitly provided for a lawful and inclusive public participation process, in line with municipal procedures.
“The DA’s claim that the motion bypassed due process is misleading and politically convenient,” Kyd said. “In fact, their own counterproposal mirrors what our motion called for.”
Kyd argued that the outcome of the council meeting exposed what she described as a contradiction in the DA’s stance. While opposing the motion publicly, she said, the party had effectively endorsed its core principles behind closed doors.
“It is now obvious that the DA supported the principles of the motion but did not want to be publicly associated with it,” she said.
The DA, along with support from the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), opposed the motion in its original form. Kyd said this decision had the effect of delaying a process she believes is necessary for addressing the legacy of apartheid-era figures in public spaces.
At the centre of the debate is the continued use of the name PW Botha, a controversial figure in South Africa’s history who served as prime minister and later state president during apartheid. GOOD argues that retaining his name on public infrastructure undermines efforts to promote constitutional values and social justice.
“PW Botha was a killer. He gave orders to kill black South Africans. His name has no place on our streets,” Kyd said.
She added that the delay in initiating a formal renaming process prolongs what she described as a moral injustice for communities affected by apartheid policies.
The GOOD Party is now calling on the DA, FF+, and ACDP to publicly clarify their positions on the matter and to explicitly denounce the continued use of Botha’s name.
“The question remains: if the DA supports public participation in principle, when will this process begin?” Kyd asked. “The people of George deserve transparency and accountability, not political theatre.”
The renaming of streets and public spaces linked to apartheid-era leaders has been a contentious issue across South Africa, often sparking debate between political parties, civil society groups, and local communities. While some view renaming as a necessary step toward transformation and reconciliation, others argue for preserving historical names as part of the country’s complex heritage.
In George, the matter now rests with the municipal administration, which is expected to outline the next steps regarding public consultation and any potential renaming process.
Kyd said the GOOD Party would continue to push for the issue to be prioritised, insisting that public spaces should reflect democratic values.
“We will not stop until our streets reflect dignity, justice, and the values of our Constitution,” she said.
As the debate continues, attention will likely turn to whether the municipality initiates a transparent public participation process, and whether political parties can find common ground on one of the most sensitive issues in South Africa’s ongoing transformation agenda.
