Sandton Drive to be renamed Leila Khaled Drive?

After successfully renaming William Nicol Drive in honour of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the City of Johannesburg is proposing another road name change. 

The City has proposed the renaming of Sandton Drive in Johannesburg to Leila Khaled Drive.

Public comments on the renaming can be submitted to dominicam@joburg.org.za

But who is Leila Khaled?

The 80-year-old Palestinian was born in Haifa in Mandatory Palestine.

She is a symbol of resistance for Palestinians and a prominent member of the Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

At the age of 25, she was the first woman to hijack an airplane in 1968. 

Today, she continues to advocate for the rights of Palestine. 

“When you defend humanity, you use all the means at your disposal. Some use words, some use arms and some use politics. Some use negotiations. I chose arms and I believe that taking up arms is one of the main tools to solve this [conflict],” she said in a recent interview with Euronews. 

POLITICAL PARTIES SPLIT ON RENAMING SANDTON DRIVE

City manager Floyd Brink has urged the public to give their input on this proposed name change. 

While some political parties support the renaming of Sandton Drive, others believe the move is unnecessary at this stage.

Action SA Gauteng chairperson Funzi Ngobeni noted more pressing issues that need attention.

Although Ngobeni acknowledged the intention to honour a liberation icon, he said Sandton Drive is a neutral and unifying name.

Brink said residents will have 28 days to comment on the proposal.