Arts & Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa is insisting on a name-change for the Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en monument (Afrikaans Language Museum and Monument) in Paarl to promote inclusivity.

According to a report in Die Burger, the monument’s management confirmed that it is embarking on a consultation process following a request by Mthethwa in March.

Mthethwa reportedly insisted on a name-change during an annual ceremony where his department signs shareholder agreements with all heads of public entities in the department’s portfolio.

The consultation process is scheduled for 26-28 May.

‘Until then, the monument’s board and management don’t want to comment publicly,’ a spokesperson said.

The pressure for a name-change has drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations – most of them saying the insistence to change the name is completely ignorant of the rationale for the monument.

The DAK Netwerk, an umbrella organisation promoting the interests of previously disadvantaged Afrikaans-speaking people, says Mthethwa’s project is absurd.

The organisation’s Danie van Wyk says the monument is aimed to ‘embrace the status of Afrikaans as an indigenous language’ and that the monument has been a ‘beacon of inclusivity’ for many years.

Full report in Die Burger (subscription needed)

Second report in Die Burger (subscription needed)