Durban street to be named after Mahatma Gandhi

Attempting to give a notorious street in the centre of Durban a moral facelift, authorities will rename it after Mahatma Gandhi.

Point Road, known as a prostitution hub, will be renamed after Gandhi within three months by the government.

"I know a lot of people will have problems with this decision, but I am delighted," grand-daughter of the Mahatma, Ela Gandhi said.

A former member of Parliament for the ruling African National Congress and presently chairperson of the Satyagraha Foundation in South Africa, Ela hoped that with Gandhi's name the street would gain a regenerative face.

Mahatma, who established the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, was one of the two Indian leaders who have been selected for recognition by the municipal authorities.

The other dignitary to be honoured is Dr Yusuf Dadoo, who was leader of the South African Indian Congress at one time.

It was decided that Grey Street and Broad Street will be named after Dadoo.

Grey Street, once famous as 'Little India', has now degenerated into a crime-ridden area after most of the Indians and businesses moved out from the place to suburbs and other upmarket areas.

While some groups have welcomed the move to honour Gandhi and Dadoo, others have called on the municipality to also recoginise freedom fighters, including Dr Monty Naicker, Dr Goonam Naidoo, J N Singh, D K Singh, M N Pather, Morgan Naidoo and George Singh, who had made significant contributions to the freedom struggles and anti-apartheid movement.

"Too much emphasis is being placed on Gandhi while other leaders born here are being ignored," said Anand Guraya, a former activist.

"Gandhi has already been recognised in Durban and other cities of South Africa while others are being ignored. Gandhi has enough recognition already. What about Monty Naicker, Goonum, Morgan Naidoo, George Singh, Morgan Naidoo and other leaders. We hope there are plans to recognise these leaders as well," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Durban Logie Naidoo, said the government is well aware of the contributions by these leaders and they would not be forgotten.

"We are going to rename other streets and suburbs, and these leaders will be taken into account," he said.