85 towns in South Africa have been renamed
Since SAGNC was established by the South African Geographical Names Council Act, 1998 (Act No.118 of 1998), 1,505 name changes have been implemented across South Africa.
The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) was established by the South African Geographical Names Council Act, 1998 (Act No.118 of 1998).
This council is responsible for standardising geographical names in South Africa and redressing, correcting, and transforming the geographical naming system in South Africa.
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According to Business Tech, data from SAGNC shows that more than 1,505 name changes have been implemented across South Africa, including 85 towns, since the council's inception.
These name changes included several geographical features like towns, villages, settlements, townships, mountains, rivers, airports, roads, and post offices.
Business Tech reports that most of these geographical name changes have been implemented in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The Eastern Cape and Limpopo were also popular provinces.
Not all of these names were changed per se, as old towns whose names were never recorded were given names, or newly-established towns were given names.
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According to the SAGNC, there are currently 58 name applications in progress, meaning more geographical name changes are likely to come.
Some of the most notable changes included:
- Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha
- Morgan’s Bay to Gxarha
- Cradock to Nxuba
- Uitenhage to Kariega
- King Williamstown to Qonce
- Queenstown to Komani
- Grahamstown to Makhanda
The name changes gazetted in 2023 were:
- Fort Beaufort to KwaMaqoma
- Somerset East to KwaNojoli
- Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie
- Adendorp to Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba
- Aberdeen to Camdeboo
- Nieu-Bethesda to Kwa Noheleni
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