The DA says a motion adopted in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature to rename the Kruger National Park and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport carries no legal weight.
The proposed changes include renaming the Kruger National Park to Skukuza National Park, the airport to DD Mabuza International Airport.
The motion was tabled by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and supported by the ANC and MK Party.
But the DA argues that provincial legislatures have no authority to initiate or finalise the renaming of geographical features, which must go through the South African Geographical Names Council and the national Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.
The DA says the proposal amounts to “political posturing” and has no practical effect.
The party has also warned that renaming South Africa’s most iconic tourism attractions would damage decades of international goodwill and recognition, undermining a key driver of the economy and putting thousands of jobs at risk in related industries such as accommodation, transport, guiding and hospitality.
“This international reputation is what makes the Park a defining attraction for tourists into South Africa who bring with them millions of dollars, euros, yen, yuan, pounds among hundreds of others, into South Africa to grow our economy and create more jobs.”
In addition, the financial costs of rebranding and replacing signage, maps, uniforms and marketing material would be astronomical.
“The DA believes that retrospective name changes waste millions of rands and do not build unity in South Africa. Unless geographical names are very hurtful or otherwise indisputably offensive, existing names should be retained.”
The DA added that any final decision on the Kruger National Park ultimately rests with the national minister — currently DA Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr Dion George.
“This is precisely the type of “Doomsday Coalition” politics against which the DA has committed to fight, and which was an essential motivation for us to be part of the GNU – to keep the EFF and MK out.”
