Calata Foundation
The Cradock Business Forum and other stakeholders are spearheading a campaign opposed to the name change of the town to Nxuba, one of several changes published in a government gazette on the 26 of August by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.
Wilhelm Smit of the Business Forum says 12 000 of 15 000 of the signatures on different petitions were from his office as they voted overwhelmingly against the change.
He said 30 days was allowed for public participation.
Smit also said that a march was held on Heritage Day where various groups also spoke out at the proposed name change.
He says it is therefore premature to refer to the town as Nxuba.
Smit says it is a very sensitive matter as the town is world renowned for the "Cradock-4" and the Canoe Marathon, to name a few.
Meanwhile, the Fort Calata Foundation says the ANC and the local Municipality are playing politics of form over politics of substance.
Foundation founder and spokesperson, Lukhanyo Calata, says whether or not the name changes, will not matter when the material conditions of the people remain the same.
His father Fort, was one of the world-renowned Cradock Four, who was murdered by the apartheid police in 1985. The others were Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli.
Speaking to Algoa FM News on Wednesday, Calata said even if the name changes, people will still not have electricity, or water and will still have to drive on untarred or potholed roads.
He says the money spent on changing names should be used to better the lives of the residents of Cradock.
