EASTERN CAPE — The proposed renaming of three towns in the Senqu Local Municipality has raised questions over whether affected communities have been given a meaningful opportunity to participate in the process.
According to Democratic Alliance Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Leander Kruger MPL, the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) is considering applications to rename Lady Grey to Inkosi Makhobeni, Herschel to Inkosi Lihlongo, and Sterkspruit to Inkosi Mpangazi.
Mapetla Mohapi has also been proposed as an alternative name for Sterkspruit.
Kruger said that correspondence from the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) invited stakeholders of the Senqu Local Municipality to a meeting at Bensonvale Hall earlier in August to discuss these applications.
However, he said what remains unclear is whether this stakeholder meeting formed part of a properly advertised public participation process, who was invited to participate, how widely residents were informed, and what opportunity was provided for those unable to attend to make written submissions.
Kruger further said when DSRAC advertised public hearings in Senqu in May 2025, the proposed changes under consideration included Ekhephini (formerly Barkly East) and several geographical features in the area.
He said Lady Grey, Sterkspruit, and Herschel were not among the town names listed in that notice.
Questions over public participation
“Public participation cannot simply become a procedural formality used to legitimise decisions that have effectively already been taken,” said Kruger.
He alleged that earlier this year, more than 38,000 objections were submitted against name changes affecting Robert Sobukwe Town (formerly Graaff-Reinet), KuGompo City (formerly East London), Xamdeboo (formerly Aberdeen), KwaMseki Bishop Limba (formerly Adendorp), and Ekhephini after residents raised serious concerns about the consultation process.
Kruger said government should have learnt from that experience.
Kruger seeks full record from DSRAC
He said he wrote to the DSRAC MEC Sibulele Ngongo requesting the complete record relating to the Lady Grey, Sterkspruit, and Herschel applications, including the original applications and motivations, research conducted, proof of public notices and advertisements, minutes and attendance registers from consultation meetings, all written comments and objections received, and any recommendations already made by the ECPGNC.
Kruger said he also wants clarity on whether further public hearings will be held before these applications proceed to the South African Geographical Names Council.
“The DA supports redress, reconciliation, and the recognition of our diverse history, but forced or poorly consulted name changes do not unite communities. Meaningful consultation requires that residents be informed before decisions are made, given a genuine opportunity to participate, and assured that their views have been considered,” said Kruger.
“Decisions affecting the names, identities, and heritage of communities cannot simply be imposed from above.”
VF Plus adds its voice
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has also strongly opposed the proposed name changes of towns and geographical sites in the Eastern Cape.
In a statement, the VF Plus said their policy on name changes is clear.
“We condemn all unnecessary, costly and politically driven name changes that divide communities, waste taxpayers’ money, and attempt to erase existing history and identity,” said VF Plus.
“State capacity and public funds should rather be used to tackle urgent service delivery problems, infrastructure, unemployment and poverty.”
Name changes more than a signpost
VF Plus said a place name is more than just a signpost along the road; it forms part of a community’s history, heritage and identity.
“When local residents strongly object, government cannot simply proceed as if their voices are of no consequence,” VF Plus said.
“The Freedom Front Plus believes that communities’ right to consultation and preservation of their heritage ought to be respected.”
VF Plus has indicated that they will oppose these name changes and continue to defend residents’ right to consultation and preservation of their history and identity.
Court challenge over Graaff-Reinet continues
As previously reported, civil rights organisation AfriForum filed an application with the High Court in Pretoria in May challenging the name change of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town after the change was gazetted by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie on 6 February.
In July, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture confirmed that it intended to oppose the application, and the matter remains before the court.
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