Despite intense objections from opposing parties, leaders of South Africa's capital city have decided to include Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong's name on a list of geographical names to be considered for city's structures and streets.

On Thursday, South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), opted to add the name of known freedom fighter and founder of the People's Republic of China, most commonly known as Chairman Mao, to a "street name bank" for the Tshwane Metropolitan Municpality that incudes the South African capital of Pretoria.

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Tshwane Council members at the Thursday meeting decided on names to be included in the Tshwane metro names bank where names of areas, streets and buildings will be chosen. Opposition parties approved of names for the likes of Julius Nyerere and Roger Milla, but drew the line at Chairman Mao. Democratic Alliance Party councilor Elmarie Linde described Mao as a "mass murderer, a womaniser, liar and drug baron" as well as dictator.

On the other hand, ANC spokesperson Lebogang Matji said Chairman Mao was "a revolutionary in his own right" making him, and his name, suitable to be included in city name choices.

"While the DA might not like the proposal on the grounds of him being a dictator," Matji said, "they must bear in mind that Andries Pretorius and Paul Kruger were also dictators but the city kept the names with a view of nation building."

Chairman Mao, who established the current Chinese government in in 1949, had been one of Africa's most trusted allies against apartheid.

His followers credit him for building China as into a world power and increasing life expectancy in the country as the population grew to almost double its original number prior to his rule.

Some consider him responsible to upholding the status of women and improving the government which was able to provide necessary commodities such as health care and education as well as housing.

TagsChairman Mao, Mao Zedong, Pretoria, South Africa, Tshwane, street, Pretoria, ANC