DA Submits 38,544 Objections to Proposed Eastern Cape Renamings

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it has submitted more than 38,000 objections to the national government regarding proposed name changes affecting several towns in the Eastern Cape.

According to the party, 38,544 individual objections were delivered to Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and the department following the publication of the proposed changes in the Government Gazette on 6 February 2026.

The proposed changes affect five towns across the province:

• Graaff-Reinet → Robert Sobukwe

• Aberdeen → Xamdeboo

• Adendorp → Bishop Limba

• East London → KuGompo City

• Barkly East → Ekhephini

The changes were approved for gazetting by the Minister earlier this year, triggering a formal public objection period during which residents and stakeholders could submit comments or objections.

Large number of objections submitted

The DA said it made objection letters and online submission forms available to residents who wanted to formally oppose the proposed changes.

According to the figures released by the party, the 38,544 objections were distributed as follows:

• Graaff-Reinet: 21,918 objections

• East London: 8,628 objections

• Aberdeen: 3,688 objections

• Adendorp: 2,814 objections

• Barkly East: 1,496 objections

The submissions were delivered by Samantha Graham-Maré MP, Marina van Zyl MP, and Leander Kruger MPL, who said they submitted the objections within the one-month period allowed following the gazetting.

The Minister’s office has reportedly confirmed receipt of submissions relating to Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Adendorp.

What happens next

In terms of the South African Geographical Names Council Act, the Minister is required to consider all objections received during the public participation process.

The DA says the law requires the Minister to respond individually to each objection, explaining his decision and the reasons for it.

This means the department will now need to review the thousands of submissions before deciding whether the proposed name changes will proceed or be reconsidered.

Debate over consultation

The party has argued that the proposed changes were approved without sufficient consultation with affected communities.

According to the DA, the scale of the objections demonstrates that many residents, businesses and organisations feel they were not adequately consulted during the process.

The party says it supports historical redress and reconciliation, but believes that name changes should follow meaningful public consultation and community agreement.

Broader political debate

The issue of geographic name changes has often generated strong debate across South Africa.

Supporters of renaming initiatives say they are necessary to reflect the country’s diverse history and honour liberation figures and indigenous heritage.

Critics argue that such changes can be controversial if communities feel excluded from the consultation process, or when they believe government resources should prioritise pressing social and economic challenges.

The Eastern Cape continues to face significant socio-economic pressures, including unemployment and service delivery challenges in many municipalities.

The debate around the proposed name changes is therefore unfolding alongside broader discussions about governance priorities and public spending in the province.

What residents should know

For now, the proposed name changes are not yet finalised.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture must first review the objections submitted during the official objection period and determine how to proceed.

Further announcements or decisions from the Minister are expected once the submissions have been assessed.

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