The Eastern Cape city of East London will soon be known as KuGompo City, following approval of several town name changes in the province.
The change follows the approval of 21 geographical name changes across South Africa by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. The approvals were confirmed by the South African Geographical Names Council.
Council chair Johnny Mohlala said the names have been signed off by the minister. However, they still need to be formally gazetted before becoming official.
A name change for Graaff-Reinet
Once gazetted, East London will be renamed KuGompo City, while Graaff-Reinet will become Robert Sobukwe Town. Several other towns in the province are also affected.
In the Eastern Cape, approved changes include Aberdeen becoming Xamdeboo, Adendorp renamed KwaMseki Bishop Limba, and Nieu-Bethesda changing to Kwa Noheleni.
The renaming of East London follows a public consultation process led by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Meetings were held in Qonce, Mdantsane and nearby coastal areas during March and April 2025.
The name KuGompo was previously rejected because a township already carried the same name. This was resolved by adding “City” to distinguish the metro area.
The Eastern Cape government indicated as early as 2024 that the renaming of East London was a priority.
Graaff-Reinet’s renaming has proven more contentious. Earlier attempts faced strong community opposition, and the change was not recommended in 2024 due to insufficient information.
The town, founded in 1786, will now honour Robert Sobukwe, a Graaff-Reinet native and founding president of the Pan Africanist Congress. Sobukwe was a key anti-apartheid figure and led the 1960 Sharpeville anti-pass protests.
Too early for objection
While some groups have welcomed the changes as correcting colonial legacies, others have raised concerns. Business leaders in Buffalo City felt they should have been more directly consulted, citing the cost of updating signage and stationery.
Despite objections, officials insist challenges raised before gazetting are premature.
South Africa has renamed more than 1 500 geographical features since 1994. KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape account for the highest number of changes.
Further proposed renamings in the province remain under discussion.
