Allan Boesak calls for South Africa to be renamed Azania
· The South African
Anti-apartheid activist and theologian Dr Allan Boesak has called for South Africa to be renamed Azania.
Boesak made the call at the launch of Vuka Azania in Sandton on Friday. He joined Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC, Professor Isaac Shai and former intelligence chief Arthur Fraser at the event.
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The movement describes itself as a decolonial advocacy movement and think tank.
Boesak explains why the rename to Azania
Reading Vuka Azania’s founding statement, Boesak said the country’s current name fails to reflect the history, identity and aspirations of its indigenous people.
“We declare that this country must be renamed Azania. The colonial name South Africa cannot carry the full memory, pain, struggle and destiny of the indigenous people.”
He added: “A liberated people must name themselves if dignity is to be restored.”
Vuka Azania outlines its goals
Boesak stressed that Vuka Azania is not a political party. Instead, it advocates for decolonisation, land restoration, economic transformation and constitutional reform.
He said the movement wants to build a self-determined Azania where black South Africans own their land, control their wealth, govern their lives and live with dignity.
“Our vision is a self-determined Azania where black people own their land, control their wealth, govern their lives and walk in dignity. Where all are fed, housed, educated, safe, employed, culturally rooted and free to dream.”
Boesak said the movement also aims to dismantle the legacy of colonialism by working with communities to break mental chains and promote the liberation of the mind, body and spirit.
Movement calls for national debate
Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC urged South Africans to debate adopting Azania as the country’s official name.
“We will also call for a national debate regarding the adoption of the name Azania to replace the colonial name South Africa.”
South Africa’s constitutional name remains the Republic of South Africa.
However, some liberation and Pan-African movements have long used Azania as an alternative name.