Tshwane defends Wonderboom Airport renaming proposal as opposition warns of costs

The City of Tshwane has defended a proposal to rename Wonderboom National Airport in honour of the Ndebele people who were historically displaced from the area, describing it as an important step towards restoring dignity to the original inhabitants of the land.

Joel Masilela, chairperson of the Section 79 Committee on Economic Development and Spatial Planning, rejected criticism from opposition parties, which have argued that the renaming process would be an unnecessary use of public funds.

Masilela said the initiative aims to recognise the history of black communities that lived in the area long before colonial settlement. He also said the city remains committed to ensuring the airport becomes internationally recognised and financially sustainable.

The proposal has been approved for public consultation. According to MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa, the application was first submitted by Jan Mthimkhulu Mahlangu in April 2018 and resubmitted in 2024. It is being considered under the City’s Geographical Names Policy, which was approved in 2023.

Mabotsa said the proposal seeks to recognise the Ndebele nation as the original landowners of the area where the airport is located.

She explained that the name “Wonderboom” originates from the historic fig tree in the Wonderboom Nature Reserve. The tree, believed to be more than 1,000 years old, was named by Voortrekker leader Hendrik Potgieter in 1836 and later became associated with Day of the Vow commemorations.

Mabotsa said the tree was damaged by a fire in 1870 and later affected by disease, although several branches developed roots and formed new trunks, expanding the canopy over time.

She confirmed that residents and stakeholders will be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed name change before any final decision is made. Details of the public participation process will be announced at a later stage.

Opposition parties have questioned the timing and value of the proposal. DA councillor and former Roads and Transport MMC Dikeledi Selowa said the airport continues to face operational and financial difficulties.

She noted that the City has acknowledged the airport has operated at a loss for several years and said only five of eight planned turnaround interventions have been completed.

Selowa also argued that renaming the airport would replace one aspect of history with another, rather than allowing different historical narratives to coexist. She said the airport’s role during World War Two should not be overlooked.

DA Tshwane chief whip Dana Wannenburg described the airport as a strategic economic asset with the potential to drive investment, tourism, aviation growth and job creation.

Wannenburg said the focus should be on ensuring the airport’s long-term sustainability and expansion. He added that the DA supports exploring a transparent public-private partnership model that would allow private-sector investment and management while the City retains ownership of the facility.

IOL