South African family history, genealogy, heritage and interesting places, past and present. All articles researched and written by Anne Lehmkuhl. COPYRIGHT ANNE LEHMKUHL, no article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. EMAIL ME
Expensive new name
Pretoria was renamed to Tshwane. According to the government, oral history states that the name Tshwane originated from the first Ndebele ethnic group which had occupied the area under the leadership of Chief Musi. Tshwane, one of his six sons, ruled after his death. A recent government report put the total cost of renaming the city at R1.5-billion. The cost to the National Roads Agency would be R10-million, as there were 30 major routes entering Pretoria, each requiring at least two to three signs at a cost of R150 000 each. The Weather Bureau said it would need a budget of R100 000 to accommodate the change. The report suggested a small business would have to spend R40 000, a medium-sized business R200 000 and a large business R400 000 to facilitate the change.