Geo Answer

Keep a look out for street signs for today’s Geo Quiz.

We’re headed for Mugabe Street. You probably won’t have much luck stopping and asking for directions. Mapquest isn’t going to be much help either. We’re looking for a South African city where in a local township there’s a street named Mugabe Street.

The local newspaper, the Sowetan, prompted an outcry when it asked: “Why name a street after a leader, (Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe), who does not respect democracy?”

Zimbabwe’s recent national election was marred by state sponsored violence and an opposition boycott. One reader said “shame on those who named a street after one of Africa’s worst tyrants.” The local official in charge of street names insists the street was named after a local hero, not Zimbabwe’s president.

But locals aren’t buying it. In any case, we want you to name the city where a sign has prompted a street fight.

Some residents of Umlazi township in Durban, South Africa aren’t happy about a road called Mugabe Street. They say Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe is a “cruel dictator” who does not respect democracy and they’re pressuring officials to rename the street in honor of a South African hero instead. The official in charge of street names says if residents feels strongly about it, he will listen to them.

Durban, South Africa is the answer.