A long-running debate over place names in the Eastern Cape has taken a decisive step forward, with East London and Graaff-Reinet among several towns approved for renaming by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie.
This comes after East London is set to become KuGompo City, while the historic Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet will be renamed Robert Sobukwe Town, following the minister’s approval of 21 geographical name changes nationwide, as per BusinessTech.
The decisions now await formal gazetting, which is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Johnny Mohlala, chair of the South African Geographical Names Council, confirmed that the approvals have been signed off but are not yet legally binding.
‘The minister has signed the names, but they still need to be gazetted,’ he said, adding that objections raised before publication are considered premature under the governing legislation.
The changes form part of a broader national renaming process that has seen more than 1,500 geographical features renamed since 1994, including towns, rivers, mountains and airports.
As outlined in coverage by The Herald, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape continue to account for the largest share of applications.
How KuGompo City came about
The renaming of East London follows an extended consultation process led by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, with public meetings held in Qonce, Mdantsane and several coastal areas earlier this year.
Initial proposals included names such as Monti and KuGompo, though complications arose as a township already carries the KuGompo name.
This was later addressed by adopting KuGompo City as the name for the metro, while alternative proposals, including honouring trade union pioneer Clements Kadalie, were ultimately set aside.
Business groups have raised concerns about the practical impact of the change. Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Lizelle Maurice said businesses felt sidelined during consultations.
‘They’re supposed to consult businesspeople because we are the ones affected,’ Maurice said, pointing to the costs of updating stationery, signage and official documentation.
She also questioned whether renaming should take priority over service delivery challenges such as road maintenance and water supply.
Public reaction on the ground has been mixed. Some residents welcomed the change as part of a broader transformation agenda, while others questioned its necessity.
‘I personally like East London,’ said Nahoon resident Darnell Steynberg. ‘I feel like there’s nothing wrong with the name.’
Graaff-Reinet’s shift to Robert Sobukwe Town
The decision to rename Graaff-Reinet follows years of discussion and earlier resistance. The town, founded in 1786 and regarded as South Africa’s fourth-oldest settlement, was previously at the centre of proposals to honour either Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe or anti-apartheid activist Fred Hufkie.
Sobukwe, a Graaff-Reinet native, teacher and lawyer, was ultimately selected. He was the founding president of the Pan Africanist Congress and a central figure in the 1960 Sharpeville anti-pass law protests.
Azania Movement president Nolubabalo Mcinga described the approval as a milestone.
‘For the people of Robert Sobukwe Town, it corrects a colonial legacy and restores historical dignity,‘ she said, adding that the process demonstrated the impact of sustained civic engagement.
Historian and author Dr Jongi Klaas highlighted the deeper historical context, noting that the area around Graaff-Reinet was central to resistance movements long before apartheid.
He pointed to the Khoisan Rebellion of the late 18th century and links to figures such as Dawid Stuurman as part of a shared legacy of resistance.
The Eastern Cape’s renaming decisions sit within a growing national pipeline. Parliamentary responses cited by BusinessTech show that more than 100 new applications have been submitted over the past two financial years, with KwaZulu-Natal accounting for the majority.
The process remains contentious. Supporters argue that renaming restores indigenous identity and addresses the symbolism of colonial-era names. Critics counter that the changes can be politically charged, economically disruptive and insufficiently inclusive.
In the Eastern Cape, further proposals, including renaming Port Alfred, Alexandria and the Kowie River, are already under legal scrutiny, with resident associations seeking court intervention.
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