JIA could be renamed

JOHANNESBURG International Airport could, from next month, be known as the 'OR Tambo International Airport' after the former ANC leader, following an application from the Ekurhuleni Metro Council, according to ‘The Citizen’ newspaper. The report states that the Ekurhuleni Metro, the municipality in which the airport falls, has sent though an application to transport minister Jeff Radebe and is currently awaiting a decision on the name change. The application comes in light of next month’s celebrations to honour Tambo and his role in the ANC. The report also says that Ekurhuleni mayor, Duma Nkosi has said that Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) expressed no reservations with the metro engaging the transport minister on the matter. However a spokesperson for Acsa says that the decision to change the name of the airport was made by the government in 1995 with Acsa as one of the stakeholders involved in the process. The spokesperson also said that Acsa could not stop anyone from proposing a name change. “Anyone who wishes to approach the minister or any other member of cabinet on any matter is free to do so.” An announcement on the possible change is expected in September. (Darren Sandras)