After the renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive last year, Nicolway Shopping Mall in Bryanston, has also gone through renaming and is now called, Winifred Mandela Precinct. The mall is owned by Akani Properties.
GRATITUDE
The unveiling of the new name was attended by delegates, politicians, investors, and business owners. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, said the name change was significant in the preservation of South African history. "We said it and many people didn't believe it, but Winnie didn't' die, she multiplied. The name will be with us forever,' Lesufi said. "With this, we want to congratulate Akani Properties for reclaiming history,' Lesufi said.' He thanked the Mandela family for accepting the name change.
FROM THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS
EFF National Assembly member Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi sang a tribute struggle song before expressing how the EFF supported the name change. "William Nicol was a priest at of the NG Kerk and instituted a crime against humanity. Many have tried to erase the gigantic role of Mama Winnie confronting the ideas of Nicol. We welcome this as the EFF. We panic about erasing the history of Mama Winnie in history. All the white people, Mama Winnie fought for your freedom too,' Ndlozi said, adding that they also want Cape Town International Airport to follow suit and be named after the struggle stalwart. "She was the woman-president we were denied.'
FROM THE MANDELA FAMILY
Ziyanda Manaway, who is the great-grandson of Winnie Mandela said the renaming ensures her name does not fade into political oblivion. "This is not only a momentous memory in our family but has truly humbled us. She never wavered from her responsibilities, duties, and commitments.' Ziyanda added that Winnie lived in Soweto until her last days and to have her name in the suburb of Bryanston is proof, she is everywhere. "She never wanted to leave Soweto so she could be close to her people until she passed away. A month before South Africa goes to the voting polls, a black-owned property company. I am in awe of you and your legacy. We endorse this property. I am proud to have your name written in Bryanston.'
THE VALUE
Chairman of the Akani Group, Zamani Letjane, said the shopping complex which was built in 2012 has an asset value of over R26 billion and makes R28 million every month. "The property was acquired two years ago, with its old apartheid name. We have so many politicians who fought in the struggle and were not properly recognised. We noticed that some of them were recognised in some villages. It has been a thorny issue, that the board members were looking at,' he added. "We are here to launch the rightful name of this beautiful building. A name that reflects the beauty of the stalwart," Letjane said.
