Don't erase Smuts's legacy:iLIVE
The family of the late Dullah Omar wants Jan Smuts Drive in Cape Town to be named after the ANC stalwart Picture: ESA ALEXANDER
I find it very sad that there is even a debate about renaming Jan Smuts Drive ("Jan Smuts vs Dullah Omar", July 25) because General Smuts was an internationally respected leader in the same way Nelson Mandela was, albeit at a different time.
A distinguished Cambridge scholar, a military leader in the Second Boer War and World War 1, he worked for peace after World War 2 and was one of the founder members of the UN - the very body of which South Africa wants to be a permanent part.
I feel very strongly that Smuts's stature on the world stage should be recognised by all South Africans. We should be proud of his achievements and the prestige he bestowed upon this nation.
Smuts was consulted by the world' s most powerful politicians for his wise advice at a difficult and dangerous time in history.
It is fitting to allow his name to remain where it is - on Jan Smuts Drive.
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