“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.
