East London is getting a new name

East London in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province is set to be renamed KuGompo City.

Another prominent town, Graaff-Reinet, is also set to be renamed Robert Sobukwe Town.

According to numerous online reports, these changes are expected to be implemented after Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie approved 21 geographical name changes across South Africa.

South African Geographical Names Council chair Johnny Mohlala also confirmed the changes to Daily Dispatch.

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Mohlala added that the changes still need to be gazetted.

The formal publication process is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

In the Eastern Cape, approved town name changes include Aberdeen becoming Xamdeboo, Adendorp being renamed KwaMseki Bishop Limba, and Nieu-Bethesda changing to Kwa Noheleni.

As reported by The South African, the name KuGompo City was previously rejected because a township already carries the same name.

The word “City” was later added to distinguish the metro area.

Graaff-Reinet

Earlier attempts to rename Graaff-Reinet were strongly opposed by local residents, to the extent that the national Geographical Names Council opted not to support the proposal in 2024.

At the time, however, provincial authorities stressed that the decision was not final.

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They explained that the application had been turned down due to insufficient information, noting that a revised submission could still be considered in future.

Founded in 1786, Graaff-Reinet is South Africa’s fourth-oldest town and was named after then Cape Governor Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Reinet.

The proposed new namesake, Robert Sobukwe, was a prominent anti-apartheid activist and a founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress.

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