KEETMANSHOOP - The Keetmanshoop municipality last week renamed nine streets to honour and celebrate the lives of those citizens who left an indelible mark in the town, shaping its history and guiding its future.

In his keynote address, mayor McDonald Hanse said it is with great pride and reverence that the council officially renamed the streets, ensuring that these citizens’ meaningful contributions will forever be etched into the fabric of the beloved Keetmanshoop. “Each street name holds a rich backstory, a testament to the individuals who have helped shape our past, influence our present, and pave the way for our future,” the town’s first citizen observed.

Hanse described the event as a way of paying tribute to forward-thinking individuals whose ideas, dedication, and tireless efforts have enriched the town’s community. He emphasised the fact that despite numerous complaints from residents about the exclusion of their beloved ones during the street renaming ceremony, the selection criteria was not based on political affiliation or favouritism but rather on the facts at hand. 

“Let us remember that the true measure of a town lies not only in its infrastructure but also in the strength of its character and the resilience of its people,” the politician said. 

In his welcoming remarks, the council’s management committee chairperson, Johannes Vries, said the beneficiaries of the street renaming were done on the basis of recognising older citizens to whom children could always have looked up.

“This is a day to pay tribute and honour the selected group of business owners, as well as community, religious, and political leaders. Those who are criticising the way of selection should be reminded that they have ample time to submit the names of those they want to propose to be included in the list,” he emphasised. 

The chairperson then gave the assurance that a second round of renaming would take place in due course.

Pieter Visser, son-in-law of well-known reverend Nicolaas Christians, after whom one of the streets was renamed, described the (late) man of the cloth as a humble, down-to-earth but yet strict leader who always carried the interests of the less fortunate on his heart.

“Dedda was really a beacon of hope for all of us, and we, as his family, are really honoured and privileged to see him now being remembered through getting a street in his name,” he added.

Also speaking during the ceremony was Annatjie Louw, daughter of Bertus, who in the meantime passed on. She said it is sad that people will never remember a person’s clean, white page of life but are quick to criticise when observing a black dot on it. “My father started a humble life as a truck driver, but later on started a small business with fellow citizens. He afterwards bought out his partners and established a successful business,” she explained. She also remembered her father as somebody who would always look after and assist those residents in need, for instance, those who did not have enough money when requiring items from his small grocery shop. She then expressed, on behalf of the family, their gratitude and appreciation towards the council for making sure her father’s legacy will live on for his great-grandchildren to come and witness.

Meanwhile, Ingo Klitzke, owner of the Shutzenhaus Guesthouse in the town, said that as children who lost their father at an early stage in their lives, they grew up under the care of Christian’s first wife in the early years of the location.

“I am very thankful to be one of the few beneficiaries to be still alive on whom this honour is bestowed, getting a street named after me,” he added. Klitzke said he will always try to do good for the community and that they, as a group of business owners, are trying to revive the Keetmanshoop Mayor’s Fund by financially contributing towards it and ensuring better educational opportunities for the less privileged children in the town.

The streets were renamed after Christians, Louw, Klitzke, bishop Antonio Chimenelo, dean Simon Tiboth, businessmen Roy Oosthuizen, Bertus Louw, and Hennie Thereon, politician Albert Kröhne, and community leader Jonathan Goliath in the various suburbs of the town.