Attention: The South African National Roads Agency
P O Box 415
Pretoria
0001

Fax: 012-362-2116

Dear Sir

It is most disturbing to hear that there is the intention to rename to
Huguenot Tunnel. If there is a desire to honour the memory of the late
Transport Minister Abdullah Omar, then build something in his honour. It
is unethical to name an already established tunnel after someone just
deceased.

Those who designed and built the engineering masterpiece of the Huguenot
Tunnel, did it in the name of the French Huguenots who fled persecution and
oppression to find peace and freedom here in the Cape. It would be theft
to take what others have designed, built and dedicated and name it after
someone who had absolutely nothing to do with it.

The real way to honour Minister Omar would be to dedicate a new project to
him.

The Huguenot Tunnel is known and respected world-wide. Along with
Franschoek, and the Huguenot Monument it is a significant tourist
attraction. The French Huguenots, who began arriving in South Africa in
1688, had come through such horrific persecution and showed such tenacity
to re-build their lives, carving farmlands out of the wilderness. Their
work ethic and faith serve as an inspiration to us all.

It is noteworthy that places named after politicians generally need to be
re-named some time later. Examples that come to mind of cities that had to
be re-named include: Salisbury, Leopoldville and Leningrad. All the
airports in South Africa were once named after politicians, such as D F
Malan and Jan Smuts, but they also had to be renamed. Similarly our dams
which were named after H F Verwoerd, etc. We submit that it is
inappropriate to name such public feats of engineering after any
politician. It is divisive and short-sighted.

Africa Christian Action and the Christian Action Network support the
Huguenot Society of South Africa in their stand to preserve the name of the
Huguenot Tunnel.

Yours sincerely

Dr Peter Hammond
Director

P O Box 74
Newlands
Cape Town
South Africa
7725
Tel.: +21-689-4480
E-Mail: info@frontline.org.za