The renaming of Ben Friedman Plein in Strand to Strand Muslim Community Square has been approved by council, despite a political party arguing that the change sidelines a local pioneer following objections from residents.
At the end of July, Freedom Front Plus councillor Pieter Janse van Vuuren issued a statement, urging the City of Cape Town to take community input seriously and keep public spaces “inclusive and neutral”.
He said 54 of 74 residents who attended the public-participation meeting formally objected to the proposal, which aims to recognise the Muslim community’s role in Strand’s history. Janse van Vuuren noted that the proposal’s own backers conceded the current name is not offensive, as Friedman, a pioneer in Strand’s economic development since 1903, is held in high regard by the community and his family.
He argued that public spaces should remain inclusive and neutral, uniting all residents regardless of religious conviction, and called it irresponsible to spend tax money on symbolic name changes when local communities oppose them.
Janse van Vuuren urged the City to take residents’ input seriously and focus instead on pressing service-delivery issues affecting all Cape Town residents.
However, the proposal drew broad institutional support. Letters of endorsement were submitted by the Strand Muslim Council, Nurul Islam Masjid, Masjid Aneeqah, the Muslim Judicial Council and the Rusthof Methodist church.
Crucially, Barry Friedman, Friedman’s grandson and a director of the family business, wrote on behalf of the Friedman family: “I do hereby on behalf of the Friedman family fully support the proposal.”
He cited three reasons: the Muslim community were residents of the area until their forced removal, a mosque is situated on the square and, despite the community celebrating its 200th anniversary, there is no acknowledgement of their presence in the Strand CBD.
Public input
The Muslim community has since proposed that a nearby traffic circle on the Strand beachfront be named Ben Friedman Traffic Circle, ensuring both histories are acknowledged.
The public-participation process ran from 1 August to 30 September 2024, with an extended comment period from 1 to 30 November 2024 after technical difficulties prevented some residents from submitting comments online.
A public meeting was held at the Strand Town Hall on 18 November 2024, attended by 74 community members. On-site surveys were also conducted in the vicinity of the square.
On enquiry Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and chairperson of the municipality’s Naming Committee, said the public-participation process was formally concluded on 30 November 2024.
“Following consideration of the outcomes of the public-participation process the Naming Committee recommended the proposed renaming of Ben Friedman Plein to Strand Muslim Community Square to the executive mayor for consideration. He subsequently recommended the proposal to council for approval. At its meeting on 30 July this year it approved the proposal. Accordingly, Ben Friedman Square will be renamed Strand Muslim Community Square.”
Andrews added that a total of 193 comments were received during the public-participation process, of which 54 objected to the proposed renaming.
“All comments and objections received during the public-participation process were considered,” he related.
“Having considered the outcomes of the process and the level of community support, the Naming Committee recommended that the executive mayor submit the proposal to council for approval.”
Numbers clarified
“As council has approved the renaming, the relevant line departments will commence implementation of the ccouncil resolution, including scheduling the replacement of the relevant signage.”
Janse van Vuuren said the 54 of 74 people attending the public meeting formally objected, which the City should regard as a clear signal from the community.
To this statement, Andrews said: “The premise of the [statement] is incorrect; it refers only to physical attendance. A total of 193 comments were received during the public-participation process, of which 54 objected to the proposed renaming.
“All comments and objections received during the public-participation process are considered. The Naming Committee evaluates the outcomes of the public-participation process, including the level of community support, before making a recommendation to the executive mayor, who in turn may recommend the matter to council for a decision. Any submissions received during the public-participation process are dealt with in accordance with the City’s established processes. Parties requiring further engagement or formal correspondence may do so through the appropriate official channels.”
Andrews explained that the public-participation process was conducted in accordance with the methodology outlined in the report to council.
The process included a public notice published in local community newspapers, including DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette; distribution via Subcouncil 8’s community organisation database; information made available at the Subcouncil office and the Strand Library; publication on the City’s Have Your Say online platform with an online comment form accessible via QR code; on-site surveys near the square; and the public meeting in November 2024.
“The Friedman family has provided its consent, which forms part of the annexures to the council report,” Andrews added.
“The proposal, including the appropriateness of the renaming, was considered by the Naming Committee. Following its deliberations, the committee recommended that the executive mayor submit the proposal to council for approval, which council subsequently approved.”
