Eastern Cape name changes continue: East London could be next
Provincial MEC Sibulele Ngongo has indicated that additional name changes are planned in the Eastern Cape, including for East London.
According to Sibulele Ngongo, the Eastern Cape MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, the towns of East London, Aberdeen, and Colchester in the Eastern Cape province are among those slated for upcoming name changes.
East London not the only city on the list
According to Business Tech, Ngongo stated in her policy address that her department is moving ahead with further name changes in the Eastern Cape province. The government is considering changing the names of East London, Aberdeen, and Colchester, among others.
The Eastern Cape has seen a number of name changes over the last few years, which included changing Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha.
Markedly, it is not the first time the government is considering a name change for East London. Getaway magazine reported that, in 2020, the government rejected an application to change East London’s name because the proposed name conflicted with an existing settlement with the same name.
SAGNC currently looking at 66 applications for name changes
Currently, the South African Geographic Names Council (SAGNC) is reviewing a total of 66 renaming applications across the country. Since its establishment in 1998, it has renamed 1 505 geographical features across South Africa. These included towns, post offices, mountains, and rivers.
The SAGNC is comprised of experts in place names, official languages, and cultural history, as well as one representative from each province and representatives from the Chief Directorate of Survey and Mapping, the SA Post Office, and the Pan South African Language Board.
Eastern Cape cities that have undergone name changes
Several South African cities have already undergone name changes in recent years.
In the Eastern Cape alone, the following are the most recent name changes:
- Port Elizabeth’s name changed to Gqeberha
- Queenstown became Komani
- Uitenhage is now Kariega
- Fort Beaufort’s name changed to Kwa-Maqoma
- Somerset East is now KwaNojoli
The government also changed the names of two airports in the Eastern Cape. Port Elizabeth airport is now Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. East London airport is now King Phalo Airport.
Costs involved
Changing a city’s name is a costly endeavour – not only for the government but also for individuals. The government needs to pay to change road signs, which could include many signs for hundreds of kilometres.
Individuals, however, are also impacted, especially those who run businesses. Businesses have to update systems, stationery, business cards, etc.