ROBERT SOBUKWE TOWN NEWS - Residents and role players opposed to the renaming of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town are up in arms about the fact that the new name is now increasingly being used on online platforms despite all the objections that have been submitted.

A total number of 21 918 objections against the Graaff-Reinet name change were submitted via the DA’s online petition (16 700) and via email by the DA and the Graaff-Reinet bly Graaff-Reinet campaigners (5 218). 

Online objections submitted via the FF Plus and AfriForum’s petitions, as well as objections submitted via email by other political parties, organisations, and individuals, are not included in this total.

Derek Light, a prominent Graaff-Reinet-based lawyer, indicated from the outset that they would be challenging the matter in court. 

According to him, the legal notice published in the Government Gazette on 6 February 2026, after the renaming was signed off by the minister of sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, was defective - it failed to inform the public that they had 30 days to lodge objections and where those objections should be lodged. 

In response to a request for an update on the legal process, which many view as the saving grace for the Graaff-Reinet name, Light confirmed that a substantial complaint supported by scientific research had been filed before the 05 March deadline. 

McKenzie now has to consider all complaints and then reach a decision and give reasons for his decision.

There is no fixed timeline in the South African Geographical Names Council Act of 1998 by which the McKenzie must respond, but in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act of 2000, he must do so within a reasonable period.

“In the circumstances, we believe that it is reasonable to allow the McKenzie 90 days to make a decision on the complaints. 

He can either dismiss the complaints and give reasons for such dismissal, or he can reverse the name change,” Light said.

“The 90 days will pass on 5 June and if McKenzie does not make a decision before then, we will approach the High Court for an order to compel him to do so. 

Should he make a decision to dismiss the complaints, we will consider the merits of his reasons and approach the High Court to review his decision.”

However, merely lodging objections, complaints, appeals, or review applications does not automatically suspend or invalidate McKenzie’s decision. 

In South African administrative law, a geographical name change approved by the minister and published in the Government Gazette remains the lawful official geographical name unless and until a court grants an interim interdict suspending its implementation or issues a final order reviewing and setting it aside. 

This was confirmed by Light, who stated: “Technically, if it is not reversed and not set aside by a court, it is changed.” 

He added that they remain opposed to the name change and are also participating in dialogue initiated outside of the process in the hope of restoring harmony in the community, as the name change application has been divisive and is undermining relationships.

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