GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Most residents of the Karoo are jubilant about the decision of the South African Council for Geographical Names to reject the proposed name changes of Graaff-Reinet and three more towns in the Dr Beyers Naudé municipal area.

Newly appointed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the PA, is a member of the council and largely credited for giving the name changes the red light.

The proposal was rejected earlier this month, mainly due to a lack of public input and insufficient motivation to merit the name changes.

The extremely unpopular proposal was announced by Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) representative, Mark Mandita, during a special council meeting on 29 August last year.

It was clear at the public hearings that followed that supporters of the proposal numbered a small minority.

The following name changes were proposed:

• Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie
• Adendorp to Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba
• Aberdeen to Camdeboo
• and Nieu-Bethesda to Kwa Noheleni

Lack of transparency

The changes were vehemently opposed by several stakeholders, primarily on the basis of lack of transparency and public participation. Mandita's assertion that the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) prohibits the department from disclosing the identities of the two applicants who proposed the changes, was rejected with contempt. 

The public also found it particularly concerning that Mandita pointed out that the names of other towns in the Eastern Cape have changed despite strong objections by the respective communities.

Tensions flared when public hearing attendees at the library hall in Aberdeen received unsatisfactory answers to questions relating to the name change applications. This gave rise to concerns that the committee's decisions may be predetermined and that the public's involvement in the process may therefore be futile. Councillor Adriaan van Heerden (dark shirt) together with concerned Aberdeen residents then ended up in a heated discussion with a member of the committee while the police kept a watchful eye to prevent the situation from getting out of hand. 

Stakeholders elated

• DA

Deputy Minister of Energy and Electricity and Dr Beyers Naudé Constituency Leader, Samantha Graham-Maré, said they are extremely pleased with the outcome.

In an effort to stop the changes, the DA had submitted two applications to the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee. The first application requested the identities of the individuals who applied for the name changes and the second copies of documents relating to the proposal. The committee ignored their requests. In March 2024, the DA also urged the former Minister of Sports, Art and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, to halt the changes.

Then, at a recent cabinet meeting, Graham-Maré raised the issue with McKenzie. "He said he would take a look and it is evident that he has done that," she said. "I am very chuffed as it shows that the Government of National Unity is working effectively."

• Graaff-Reinet Tourism

Chairperson Tanya Kroon said they are delighted. Their main concern related to the Graaff-Reinet brand and the marketing of the town. "Graaff-Reinet is known as the Jewel of the Karoo. It would be like changing Cape Town's name. Now that this very important brand will remain intact, we can apply our very limited resources on marketing the Karoo as a whole." Kroon emphasised the importance of unity. "It is amazing what can happen when people pull together. Everybody pulled this off because the affected communities came together and influenced the decision."

• Aberdeen Tourism

Sterna Thwaites, former Chairperson of the Aberdeen Tourism Association (ATA), said they are immensely grateful. ATA maintained that any name change is a waste of public funds which could be used to serve an impoverished community with, for example, sports facilities, a museum depicting indigenous heritage, and an entertainment center for local talent. Thwaites said it became evident during the public hearings that the decision to proceed with the name changes had already been made. "The hearings were obviously conducted merely to comply with procedural requirements. Fortunately, Minister McKenzie saw right through this and for that we cannot thank him enough."

• GRRPA

Graaff-Reinet Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRPA) said the financial impact of the name changes on businesses and other institutions had not been considered. Michelle Erasmus, Chairperson of GRRPA, said they appreciate the minister's recognition of more important matters that need change. "The decision honours our town's heritage, the community and the wishes of the residents. Our community stood together and supported one another to prevent having something from an anonymous source imposed on us from the outside." She extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone for putting up a united front.

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