Graaff-Reinet Renaming Faces Thousands of Objections

DA: 21,000 Object to EC Town Name Changes

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says its petition against the proposed renaming of five Eastern Cape towns has already surpassed 21,000 objections, just nine days into the formal objection period.

In a joint statement issued on 15 February 2026, Samantha Graham-Maré, DA Dr Beyers Naudé Constituency Leader, and Leander Kruger, Buffalo City Constituency Leader, confirmed that 21,117 online objections had been received, along with what they described as “countless” hardcopy letters.

Objection period under way

The proposed name changes were gazetted on 6 February 2026, marking the start of a one-month formal objection phase. Members of the public have until 6 March 2026 to submit objections.

The proposals were approved by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, who is also president of the Patriotic Alliance.

The towns affected are:

• Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe

• East London to KuGompo City

• Aberdeen to Xamdeboo

• Adendorp to Bishop Limba

• Barkly East to Ekhephini

The DA said it has been opposing the proposed changes to Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Adendorp since 2023 and has intensified its campaign following the gazetting notice.

Breakdown of objections

According to the DA, the current online objection figures are as follows:

• Graaff-Reinet: 12,803

• East London: 4,365

• Aberdeen: 1,716

• Adendorp: 1,258

• Barkly East: 975

The party expects the numbers to increase further over the remaining 19 days of the objection window.

The DA has been distributing individual objection letter templates to residents and making online objection forms available for those unable to visit constituency offices in person. All completed submissions, the party said, will be delivered to the Director-General of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and to Minister McKenzie’s office within the prescribed timeframe.

Political reaction

In their statement, the DA leaders criticised the Minister’s decision to sign off on the proposed changes, arguing that communities face more urgent service delivery challenges.

The party stated that while it supports redress, reconciliation and nation-building, it believes that “forced, poorly consulted name changes” risk dividing communities rather than uniting them.

The DA further urged affected residents to make use of the formal objection process before the 6 March 2026 deadline.

What happens next?

The objection phase forms part of the statutory process following publication in the Government Gazette. After the closing date, objections will be considered as part of the administrative review process in line with applicable legislation.

Residents who wish to participate in the process are encouraged to submit their comments before the deadline to ensure they are formally recorded.

As debate continues across the province, the issue is likely to remain a focal point in both local and provincial political discussions in the weeks ahead.