Protestors took to the streets recently in Robert Sobukwe Town, formerly known as Graaf-Reinet, after residents were divided over Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s decision earlier this year to approve the name change.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has received tens of thousands of objections, estimated at 38,000, to the approved name changes of five towns in the Eastern Cape.
The objections were received after Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie published 21 new name changes in the Government Gazette in February and allowed the public one month, until March 6, to lodge objections.
McKenzie made the approvals after he received recommendations from the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) after public consultation in the affected areas.
Among the geographic name changes are Graaf-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town, East London to KuGompo, Aberdeen to Xamdeboo, Adendorp to Bishop Limba, and Barkly East to Ekhephini.
