EFF want Kruger National Park’s name changed

The minority party used Heritage Day to reiterate it’s call for name changes to significant South African sites- including the Kruger National Park.

According to a statement issued over Twitter, the Economic Freedom Front (EFF) believe that the park’s name, after Transvaal President Paul Kruger, is a hangover from colonialism and apartheid and celebrates a shameful past.

‘On this day we reiterate our call for all apartheid colonial and public signs to fall. All statues of apartheid and colonial murderers must be taken down, including street and public property names like Kruger National Park,’ said the statement.

Although it did not include suggested names to replace Kruger, it did suggest new names for two airports. Accordig to the EFF, Cape Town International Airport should be changed to Winnie Mandela Airport and East London Airport to be changed to Steve Biko Airport.

Also read: Kruger calling: an 8-day road trip

Why is it called the Kruger?

The park officially became the Kruger National Park in 1926 after the Sabie Game Reserve and Shinwedzi Game Reserve merged under the National Parks Act. The President of the Transvaal Republic, Paul Kruger, had previously established Sabie Game Reserve in 1898 to protect the animals of the Lowveld by restricting hunting. Prior to colonial settlement the park was populated by San, as evidenced by 130 recorded rock art sites. Nguni people moved into the area later as indicated by the multiple cultural sites in the park.

Image source: Flickr

Also read: A first-time visitors’ guide to Kruger National Park