By Nangamso Mabindla
08 June 2007

A QUICK 20km drive along the N2 from Bhisho towards Grahamstown will take you to Bhisho Airport, in the rural village of Bulembu in Buffalo City.

And that is where the confusion lies - some people are not sure of the exact name of the airstrip. Signposts along the N2 direct drivers to the Bulembu Airport, while at the facility itself the sign is for Bhisho Airport.

Speaking at a presentation on the Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy earlier this week, provincial MEC for roads and transport, Thobile Mhlahlo, drew attention to the issue, saying people were confused about the airport's name.

"If you think about it Bulembu is not Bhisho, so we feel we need to change the name so that it fits the needs of the communities it represents."

Mhlahlo said that his department would work with the Eastern Cape Geographic Names Committee, the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture and the Buffalo City Municipality before changing the airport's name.

The Mthatha Airport in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo District Municipality would also have a name change.

"The department of roads and transport is committed to using all available resources to advance public transport solutions in this province, through involving all relevant stakeholders."

Residents would be included in the renaming. "We want the people of Buffalo City and Mthatha to participate and submit the names they want for their airports," Mhlahlo said.