The Road was originally named after Nicolaas de Waal, the first administrator of the Cape Province. He initiated the Road's construction. De Waal Drive is set against Table Mountain and is the main highway leading out of the City towards Cape Town International Airport and the Southern Suburbs. The popular De Waal Park, one of the City’s largest Public Parks and a Heritage Site, lies in the heart of the City. David de Waal established this Park in 1881, on condition that dogs must be able to run off leash in the Park. They still enjoy this freedom today!

The proposal for renaming the Road came from Cape Times Editor, Tony Heard, who was present at the protest on March 30, 1960. This protest was led by Philip Kgosana, who was then, only 23 Years old! Thousands of people followed him from Langa to Parliament. Protestors marched about 12 km via De Waal Drive into the City to show their unhappiness following the Sharpeville Massacre. Kgosana was arrested and within a week. The Apartheid Government declared a State of the Nation Emergency and banned the African National Congress and the PAC. Driving their movements underground and into militarization. Kgosana died on April 19, 2017 aged 80 after a short illness. President Jacob Zuma declared a special Provincial funeral for the Veteran.