DA Calls on Communities to Object to Gazetted Eastern Cape Name Changes

DA Mobilises Formal Objections After Eastern Cape Name Changes Gazetted

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has launched a formal mobilisation drive to assist residents in lodging objections following the official gazetting of proposed place name changes in the province.

The name changes were gazetted on 6 February 2026, triggering a legally prescribed objection period during which members of the public are allowed to submit formal objections to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

According to the DA, this objection window is limited to one month, making it critical for affected communities to act swiftly if they wish to have their views officially recorded.

DA challenges Minister’s earlier stance

The DA has accused Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, of misleading residents of the Eastern Cape regarding the name change process.

The party notes that approximately 18 months ago, the minister publicly stated that he would not approve the proposed name change of Graaff-Reinet, citing more pressing national priorities at the time.

Despite this, the minister has since approved several name changes, including:

• Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe

• East London to KuGompo City

• Aberdeen to Xamdeboo

• Adendorp to Bishop Limba

• Barkly East to Ekhephini

The DA says it is still awaiting clarity from both provincial and national geographical names committees on how proposals that were previously rejected have now progressed to the gazetting stage.

Support for residents during objection period

The party has committed to actively assisting residents to ensure that objections are submitted correctly and in compliance with legal requirements.

This includes providing pre-drafted individual objection letters for residents to complete, as well as online objection forms for those who cannot visit DA offices in person. All completed objections will be consolidated and submitted to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture within the stipulated one-month period.

The DA has emphasised that the effectiveness of the objection process depends on the volume of submissions received within the allowed timeframe.

Concerns over consultation and priorities

While the DA states that it supports reconciliation and nation-building, it argues that name changes imposed without meaningful consultation undermine those goals.

The party maintains that genuine reconciliation is achieved through dialogue, unity and respect for community identity, rather than through decisions taken without sufficient public participation or clear historical links.

It further argues that government attention should be directed towards service delivery challenges currently facing many Eastern Cape communities.

Residents in areas such as East London, Barkly East, Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Adendorp continue to experience infrastructure failures, unemployment and unreliable basic services, which the DA believes should be prioritised over name change processes.

Call for public participation

The DA has reiterated that decisions affecting the identity, heritage and names of towns cannot be made without the consent of the people who live there.

The party has called on all affected residents across the province to participate in the objection process and to ensure their views are formally recorded and considered.

According to the DA, it remains committed to advocating for accountable governance, proper consultation and a government that focuses on tangible improvements to people’s daily lives.