OPINION: “Name change of the Kruger National Park is not a well calculated move”-Writes Harold Lekhuleni

Supplied Content — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000

“The move by the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature to change the name of Kruger National Park to Skhukhuza is not well calculated and is ill-conceived. This seemed to be a move to gain political mileage. It is a fact that Paul Kruger, James Steven Hamilton and Piet Grobler are the pioneers of the Kruger National Park. They are the brains behind the establishment of this game reserve which is a tourist attraction, both nationally and internationally. It is one of the largest national parks in the world. As much as some would criticize Paul Kruger for his divisive and apartheid policies, this does not change the fact that he is amongst the masterminds to the establishment of this great national asset. The name change of the Kruger National Park is not going to change the price of butter. We need to give praise where praise is deserved. We need to give credit where credit is due.
Changing the name of the park to something else will always be perceived as a ploy to obliterate the contribution that was made by the trio. I was surprised to learn that the proposed new name for the park is Skukuza, which was a nickname given by the local community to James Steven Hamilton. He was the first warden of the reserve who implemented conservation measures to combat poaching and to protect the wildlife population.
Skukuza is a Tsonga words, which means to sweep clean. It was given to James Steven Hamilton because he was sweeping all the poachers and also those who wanted to tamper with the wildlife population of the park. Changing names of establishments such as stadiums, airports and buildings is something that needs to be pursued and advocated to represent the demographics of our communities. This is done in order to honour those who made immense contribution in our communities.
What makes the name change of the Kruger National Park controversial is the fact that we cannot change the past. We cannot undo the fact that Paul Kruger is one of the pioneers of the park. Even if it is named to something else, history would record that he was instrumental in the establishment of this great asset that has become one of the major tourist destinations in the world.
Already, the park has created many job opportunities, especially those who live within its proximity. Many guest houses have been constructed which brings positive spinoffs to the local communities. When visiting the park, one has observed that those who go through the Kruger Gate, usually take keen interest in taking pictures next to the statue of Paul Kruger. Even those who visit the Skukuza Camp, there is a founder’s memorial which depict the statues of Paul Kruger, James Hamilton Steven and Piet Grobler. Many visitors are fond of taking pictures in that area.
These are some of the landmarks of the park. This seems to suggest that tourists do not take offence around that space. Around 2010, there was a move to remove the statue of Paul Kruger at the Kruger Gate of the national park. Many people rushed to the gate to take pictures before the statue was removed. Unfortunately, the move was put on ice, to date.
What is ironic is that the airport in Mpumalanga has been named Kruger Mpumalanga Airport. Paul Kruger never made any contribution to the establishment of the airport, but was honoured by giving the airport his name. We cannot speak right and walk left. Special focus should be on bread and butter issues that are aimed at transforming the lives of mainly black communities who are languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder.”

Harold Lekhuleni is a history Subject Advisor of Bohlabela District. He writes in his own personal capacity.

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Editor Bongani Hlatshwayo’s impressions on Freedom Day

Bongani Hlatshwayo — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 13:42:32 +0000

Today is Freedom Day and marks exactly 30 years that South Africa has been under that South Africa has been under democratic rule, which, in essence, marked the emancipation of black people.

After being oppressed under the apartheid rule and being downtrodden since 1652 when settler, Jan van Rebieck, landed on our shores. The original inhabitants were reduced to fourth class citizens in the country of their birth for more than 350 years. On the 27th April 1994, it was the first time that the black majority in the country to be registered as voters. We voted for the first democratic government in South Africa, marking the first time that the African National Congress (ANC) came into power and has been the ruling party for six consecutive terms.

It was during their six-term as the ruling party, that a number of transformations were undertaken to firstly dismantle discriminatory laws that have foreseen the reintegration of society over the years. This period realised the free movement of people from rural areas to urban areas under the infamous Section 10.1A, under which if found in urban areas without that stamp, you were summarily arrested and kept for three months in jail for such an offence.

Curfews were the order of the day as night time in the cities and towns around the country were meant for the freedom of white citizens only because blacks were nothing, but labourers in their country of birth. Over the past 30 years, society changed tremendously as equal rights were bestowed upon every citizen in all spheres of life. Also which eradicated the Group Areas Act and people were able to reside anywhere in the country. We were able to enrol children at any school and tertiary institution, whereby, they were at liberty to study professions of their choice other than being mainly confined to teaching, nursing and the police force, among others.

Many wrongs have also taken place during this period in terms of governance and leading to widespread corruption. However, it’s not as surmountable as the more than 350 years of oppression under apartheid rule. As 2024 marks 30 years of freedom and coincides with our 30-year celebration, and incidentally is an election year, the electorate must not be deviated by enemies of black rule, but freedom of choice should prevail for the furtherance of democracy in our land. Let freedom reign!

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OPINION: “Name change of the Kruger National Park is not a well calculated move”-Writes Harold Lekhuleni

Editor Bongani Hlatshwayo’s impressions on Freedom Day