The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday dubbed the motion in the Mpumalanga legislature to change the names of Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and the Kruger National Park, nothing more than political posturing lacking legally binding effect.

The party rejected the motion, which it said sought to destroy the tourism economy of the Kruger National Park.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Mpumalanga legislature has introduced a motion to rename several prominent landmarks in the province.

The motion was reportedly voted for by uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the African National Congress (ANC), and adopted in the legislature, but discussions are still ongoing before the renaming can take place.

DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the motion was nothing more than an opinion and had no legal force or effect.

“The fact that it is of no legal effect is a very good thing, because changing the name of South Africa’s most attractive and defining tourism drawcard, would wipe out decades of tourism goodwill, and tourist name-recognition for the national park.

“This international reputation is what makes the park a defining attraction for tourists into South Africa who bring with them millions of dollars, euros, yen, yuan, pounds among hundreds of others, into South Africa to grow our economy and create more jobs,” he explained.

Aucamp highlighted that the motion was brought with a crude misunderstanding of the legal process to name or rename geographical features of South Africa.

“…no provincial legislature can do so, or can even start such a process,” he said.

He noted that his party believed that retrospective name changes wasted millions of rands and did not build unity in South Africa.

“Unless geographical names are very hurtful or otherwise indisputably offensive, existing names should be retained,” he said.

He explained that the law required that name changes followed a national process, including the South African Geographical Names Council because this is the name of a national park, and because it spans more than just Mpumalanga, the legislature for that province does not have jurisdiction for this process.

“…even if such a name change made its way to the final approval by the Minister, it is very fortunate that the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is DA Minister Dr Dion George,” he added.

He stated that the country’s tourism draw, based on the international standing of attractions, was essential for the economy – and therefore any political party that tried to destabilise the tourism sector is committing publicly to destroy jobs and ruin livelihoods.

He said every foreign and local tourist to the Kruger National Park spent money in a host of associated businesses such as transfers, accommodation, car hire, local restaurants, guides, drivers, souvenirs, and killing these small businesses would leave thousands jobless and without income.

“This is what the ANC, EFF and MK would do. This is precisely the type of ‘Doomsday Coalition’ politics against which the DA has committed to fight, and which was an essential motivation for us to be part of the Government National Unity – to keep the EFF and MK out,” said Aucamp.

He noted the operational costs of such name changes, which he said would cost the local, provincial, and national governments millions of rands.

“Every change from road signs, to rebranding, to maps, websites, uniforms, and vehicles – all come at enormous cost from taxpayer money that South Africa cannot afford,” he explained.