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AfriForum has sent a lawyer’s letter to Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, to object to the name change of Graaff-Reinet. This follows in response to the Minister’s notice in the Government Gazette of 6 February 2026 that the town will henceforth be called Robert Sobukwe Town. The South African Geographical Names Council Act 118 of 1998 provides for such objections to be lodged within 30 days of the publication of a name change.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, the civil rights organisation’s objection is based, among other things, on the fact that the Eastern Cape Provincial Policy on Naming and Renaming of Geographical Features emphasises that the name changing of places of particular historical significance should only be considered in exceptional cases. According to AfriForum, in the case of Graaff-Reinet, which has had this name since its establishment 240 years ago, no such circumstances could be found. Contrary to the requirements of the policy, the change does not indicate that the necessary consideration has been given to the preservation of the town’s historical and cultural heritage.

In the letter, AfriForum refers to the study by Prof. Ronnie Donaldson, which established that 83,6% of the town’s residents are opposed to the name change. “Although it is claimed that the name change will improve social cohesion, it is achieving the very opposite, with growing local and national polarisation because of the name change. Residents even feel that the Minister and other relevant authorities are ignoring them,” Bailey says.

“The name change could cause incalculable damage to the cultural and historical content of the name, the tourism industry, the local economy and relations among communities. The responsible choice would be for the Minister to simply withdraw the change,” she adds.

AfriForum calls on everyone who wants to preserve Graaff-Reinet’s name to oppose this ill-considered change and to sign the petition against it here. 

Issued by AfriForum