On July 4th, 2024, RPTV Volunteer MC Zlatan took to Dundas Square, soon to be officially renamed Sankofa Square, amidst ongoing controversy surrounding its original namesake, Henry Dundas. Dundas, known for his involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade during his political career in the late 18th to early 19th centuries, has sparked debate. MC Zlatan engaged with random individuals in the square, querying their perspectives on the renaming.
The proposed new name, Sankofa Square, is set to take official effect on the first of next month, on August 1st, 2024. The origin of Sankofa is derived from a word in the Twi language, spoken by the Akan people of Ghana in Africa. The word loosely translates to “go back and get it”, or “learn from the past”. The significance of the selection of this word for the renaming of Dundas Square is to symbolize the action of acknowledging the past, learning from it, and building a more inclusive environment for the future of the city of Toronto.