FOUR SA towns to CHANGE names … again
Government meddling or necessary progress for our multi-cultural nation? Four SA towns to change name. Here’s what they will become.
It’s a common occurrence in our multi-cultural country. Once again, a proposal has gone out for four SA towns to change names. As reported by Business Tech, the towns are all in the Eastern Cape and the proposals were raised by the province’s Department of Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture.
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The four SA towns to change names are part of a process set in motion back in May 2023. Revealed in the province’s annual performance plan 2023/24, it says the four SA towns to change names will be gazetted this year, in accordance with the South African Geographical Names Council.
FOUR SA TOWNS TO CHANGE NAMES
There have been ten name changes published over the last three years by the South African Geographical Names Council. The latter is an advisory body that consults with communities to advise provincial councils.
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Note that the council’s purview applies to name changes for cities, towns, villages, rivers, mountains and various geographical features. Consultations include the following four towns in the Eastern Cape:
| Existing name | Proposed name |
| Graaff-Reinet | Robert Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie |
| Adendorp | Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba |
| Aberdeen | Camdeboo |
| Nieu-Bethesda | Kwa Noheleni |
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FOUR SA TOWNS IN THE EASTERN CAPE
Many of the major name changes have taken place in the Eastern Cape. According to the department, 103 geographical name changes have occurred in the Eastern Cape since 2019. However, the proposal to have four SA towns change names, has elicited strong condemnation from the likes of Kallie Kriel, the CEO of AfriForum.
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He argues the name changes represent unjustified expenditure of taxpayers’ money and that it is not necessary to do something like this as none of the current names causes any offence. He says the towns hold significant historical value and AfriForum will play an active role in preventing the name changes.
HEALING THE COUNTRY
The government responded to AfriForum by saying: “Through the geographical names project, we have deliberately set the country on a path towards healing. We are changing names of towns and cities which have unsavoury colonial and apartheid connotations. In doing so, we have always sought to consult widely in ensuring that the affected communities are part of the name-change process,” it concluded.
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