The mandate to change the names of streets, public places and institutions in South Africa is shrouded in controversy. A topic of debate so fierce and stratified that subsequent racial and ‘nationalist’ arguments tend to thrust the dispute over name changing into a whirlwind of backward, racial-ridden vendettas. Proud democratic South Africans should be able to see the reasoning in that “South Africa has eleven official languages and one of the goals after 1994 became to give each of them greater representation”. Still, I do believe there is a notable difference between changing the names of places that are segregating and patronizing to South African citizens, and changing the name of an institution like Rhodes University, which has cultural and symbolic resonance in unification.

Would a rose not smell as sweet by any other name? With the example of the name change from Pretoria to Tshwane in mind we can explore this statement. One must consider the argument that by changing a name, the consequent ramifications can be detrimental. For instance, internationally Pretoria was a well recognised name, simplifying international relations and tourism, the name change also made many residents feel as though the vast amounts of money spent could have been used more adequately on improving the living standards of citizens. These are convincing justifications, however, as a South African I think it is narrow-minded to put a price tag on the need to unify and allow all in our rainbow nation to have a sense of belonging. After all, Tshwane does mean "we are the same" or "we are one because we live together".

Now, that I have asserted my standing on name changing, I can hopefully avoid most of the inevitable accusations that “I’m against the name change of Rhodes University because I am racist”, which interestingly is a common response that I have encountered. I wish to adamantly pre-empt any more of these unfounded replies, by saying that proud South Africans of any race, culture or religious background find it most hurtful and unjustified to have our opinions contradicted by such slurs. However, I am always open to debate and welcome all different perspectives. As a first year journalism student I crave challenges, after all this is how students can broaden their perspectives on such topics.

Now, as for changing the name of Rhodes University, an article in March 2007 stated that when the “movement emerged to change the name of Rhodes University”, “the backlash was fast and fierce”. This put the name change on the backseat, but there has been much discussion on campus around this topic. Journalism 1 has taught me to attempt to look at these topics objectively, a task much harder done then said, especially as I fear the name change would alienate many of my foreign friends. We have to, as South Africans, bear in mind that Rhodes is an internationally recognised university that attracts students from a variety of different countries, an aspect that many of us love about our adopted home. ‘Rhodents’ as many affectionately call us, are unified in that we are a diverse family of people, who despite our differences are able to live mostly harmoniously in a small town, which is a indication of our unification in itself. Therefore, in changing the name to better suit South African ideals, we alienate our foreign friends, who ultimately will be given little consideration in this decision. Rhodes is not just a South African education facility, we are a conglomerate of people from different backgrounds who are eager to live and learn in the place “where leaders learn”.

Furthermore, this name change would anger those student’s who have come to Rhodes for a degree that says “Rhodes University”, this does not mean that under another name our degrees would have less creditability, rather I’d like to explain that Rhodes has certain symbolic meaning for students that is not related to Cecil John Rhodes, but rather the place that has powerful cultural symbolism in that current “rhodents” or old “rhodians” can find a sense of incredible pride, belonging and unity. I’m not arguing that the name may upset some South Africans, I’m asking rather for people to understand that ‘Rhodes’ is an identity for many students trying to find themselves. This is not a ‘past-is-past’ or ‘colonialist’ argument, but rather the suggestion that our identity be protected, understanding that this name has a different and unifying meaning to students that others may not understand, but as the youth of the nation and the world I urge that our meanings and symbolism be respected.

Viva Unity, Viva Ubuntu, Viva Us

Rhodents be proud

'Sisvic'