The municipality of Potchefstroom recently decided to rename many of the streets. The old names where completely unremarkable : The name of a river here, a plant name there, perhaps a couple of historical figures dating back to the 17th, 18th or 19th century.

The new names belong without exception to past and current members of the ruling ANC party. The town councilors must feel confident that these freedom fighters turned office bearers will not fall from grace like Kenneth Kaunda and Robert Mugabe. Neither do they see any need for balance, like honoring those who fought the system from within.

Many residents complain. One fought back by erecting a signpost on his own property bearing the old name. I considered various ways to reduce the amount of propaganda that I will upload to OSM and still make a good map. I finally decided to upload the street names exactly as I observed them and to write this diary entry instead.