List of renamed places in South Africa explained
Since 1994, numerous locations in South Africa have been renamed. The following article covers the name changes in South Africa by province since the 1994 South African general election. National place names, such as towns, suburbs, and natural landforms, are decided by the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), and provinces have their own geographical names committees.[1] Among the South African public, there is broad agreement that locations which are named after British or Afrikaner military personnel who fought against Black South Africans or contain racial slurs should be renamed, but efforts since 2005 to replace inoffensive names, such as Lydenburg (which African National Congress politicians claimed are necessary to "address the legacy of colonialism and apartheid") have faced opposition on the grounds of excessive costs and perceived bias in favour of honouring ANC members.[2] [3] [4] Although many name changes have taken place officially since the end of apartheid in 1994, many of the previous names are still common in use, and some name changes have been officially reverted.
Pre-1994
Eastern Cape
As of March 2014, the Eastern Cape has changed the name of 134 places, placing it third nationally after Mpumalanga and the Limpopo provinces.[6] Most name changes have been correcting misspellings in the former homelands of Transkei and Ciskei (see below). There have also been a number of name change proposals in the western half of the province for place names of Afrikaans or English origin.
Settlements
- Bisho → Bhisho (2004; former capital of Ciskei)[7]
- Bolotwa → Bholothwa (2004)[8]
- Butterworth → Gcuwa (2004)
- Cintsa → Chintsa (2004)
- Engcobo → Ngcobo (2004)
- Gaika → Ngqika (2004)
- Idutywa → Dutywa (2004)
- Kentane → Centane (2004)
- Mbashe → Mbhashe (2004)
- Mpetu → Mpethu (2004)
- Mphuti → Mputhi (2004)
- Mpotula → Mphothulo (2004)
- Ncora → Ncorha (2004)
- Nqamakwe → Ngqamakhwe (2004)
- Nqabara → Nqabarha (2004)
- Nobokwe → Nobhokhwe (2004)
- Qolora → Qholorha (2004)
- Tanga → Thanga (2004)
- Umtata → Mthatha (2004; former capital of Transkei)
- Baziya → Bhaziya (2005)[9]
- Kambi → Khambi (2005)
- Kubusie/Kubusi → Khubusi (2005)
- Kwelera/Kwelega/Kwelegha → Kwelerha (2005)
- Lufuta → Lufutha (2005)
- Mtentu →Mthentu (2005)
- Mxelo → Mxhelo (2005)
- Ncera → Ncerha (2005)
- Notintsila → Nothintsila (2005)
- Tabankulu → Ntabankulu (2005)
- Qumanco → Qhumanco (2005)
- Tyhumie/Chumie → Tyhume (Lower and Upper) (2005)
- Bizana → Mbizana (2013)[10]
- Extension 2 in Tsolo → Tobile Dam Township (2013)
- Extension 4 in Qumbu → Siyabulela Mlombile Township (2013)
- Extension 5 in Qumbu → Dr Z Njongwe Township (2013)
- extension 6 in Qumbu → Mgcineni Mgqatsa Village (2013)
- Extension 6 in Tsolo → Dr Malizo Mpehle Township (2013)
- Extension 7 in Tsolo → Chris Hani Township (2013)
- Bacela → Bhacela (2015)[11]
- Bityi → Bhityi (2015)
- Cancele → Chankcele (2015)
- Cobongo → Nkobongo (2015)
- Gxara → Gxarha (2015)
- Kobonqaba → Khobanqaba (2015)
- Komga → Qumrhra (2015)
- Kwezana → Khwezana (2015)
- Lubacweni → Lubhacweni (2015)
- Macibini → Machibini (2015)
- Maluti → Maloti (2015)
- Manubi → Manyube (2015)
- Nanaga → Ncanarha (2015)
- Nqeleni → Ngqeleni (2015)
- Printsu/Pirintsu/Pirintsho → Phirintsho (2015)
- Qugwaru → Qhugqwarhu (2015)
- Qumanco → Qhumanco (2015)
- Taleni → Thaleni (2015)
- Toleni → Tholeni (2015)
- Aliwal North → Maletswai (2015)[12]
- Jamestown → James Calata (2015)[13]
- Elliot → Khowa (2016)[14]
- Lady Frere → Cacadu (2016)
- Mount Ayliff → eMaxesibeni (2016)
- Mount Frere → KwaBhaca (2016)
- Silver City and Ext 7 → Rholihlahla Residence (2016)
- Queenstown → Komani (2016)
- Umasizakhane → Masizakhe (2016)
- Alice → Dikeni (2016)[15]
- Bola → Bhola (2016)
- Dipini → Diphini (2016)
- Jimmy → Umjilo (2016)
- Kwenxura → Khwenxurha (2016)
- Lloyd Location → Thembisile (2016)
- Maarsdorp → Nontongwana (2016)
- Makazi → Makhazi (2016)
- Ngqutu → Ngquthu (2016)
- Phillipton → Gangqeni (2016)
- Readsdale → KwaNcaza (2016)
- Situngu → Sithungu (2016)
- Smith Location → Xolani (2016)
- Soto → Sotho (2016)
- Tsinikane → Ntsikana (2016)
- Woodlands → eMabhofolweni (2016)
- Kete-kete → Hamakete-teke (2017)[16]
- Kaffirskraal → Linga Diko (2018)[17]
- Khalazembe → Khanya (2018)
- Grahamstown → Makhanda (2018)[18]
- Cata → Chatha (2019)[19]
- EmaBeleni → EmaBheleni (2019)
- Kwelera → Kwelerha (2019)
- Luqoqhweni → Luqhoqhweni (2019)
- Kwenxurha → Khwenxurha (2019)
- Makazi → Makhazi (2019)
- Mbolompo → Mbholompo (2019)
- Mbongweni → Mbhongweni (2019)
- Mqekezweni → Mqhekezweni (2019)
- Nculu → Ngculu (2019)
- Nomgxeki → Nomngxiki (2019)
- Sihlito → Sihlitho (2019)
- Sitebe → Sithebe (2019)
- Situngu → Sithungu (2019)
- Tyhalara → Tyhalarha (2019)
- Xhongora → Xhongorha (2019)
- Cildara → Cildarha (2020)[20]
- Marubeni → Marhubeni (2020)
- Qanqu → Qhankqu (2020)
- Cisirat → Chisirha (2021)[21]
- Cizele → Chizele (2021)
- Katkop → Ngqayi (2021)
- Lota → Lotha (2021)
- Mfabantu → Khohlombeni (2021)
- Pierie Mission → Pirie Mission (2021)
- Port Elizabeth → Gqeberha [ᶢǃʱɛ̀ɓéːxà] (2021)
- Uitenhage → Kariega (2021)
- King William's Town → Qonce (2021)
- Maclear → Nqanqarhu (2021)
- Berlin → Ntabozuko (2021)
- Cradock → Nxuba (2022) [22] [23]
- Braunschweig → Eluphendweni (?)
- Somerset East → KwaNojoli (2023)
- Fort Beaufort → KwaMaqoma (2023)[24]
- Kirkwood → Nqweba (2024)[25]
Airports
Rivers
Free State
The province renamed the only international airport in Bloemfontein after Bram Fischer, a political activist of the South African Communist Party, in 2012.[26]
Settlements
- Petrus Steyn → Mamafubedu (2012)[27]
- Clocolan → Hlohlolwane (2015)[28]
- E Section → Sechaba Mahobe (2015)
- Harrismith → iNtabazwe (2015)
- Makurung → Edwin Bokala (2015)
- Namibia Square → Zonisele Xeza (2015)
- Sakanyoka → Tokologo (2015)
- Section D → Zakes Maseko (2015)
- Section H → Molefi Tau (2015)
- Section J → Papiki Moiloa (2015)
- Section K → Chester Pulumo (2015)
- Section L → Boiki Motlohi (2015)
- Section M → Tebotho Melthafa (2015)
- Section S → Raymond Sekati (2015)
- Section T → Bonaventure Nkholi (2015)
- Section V → Khotso Taole (2015)
- Section W → Daniel Kheswa (2015)
- Themba → Sebe Sebothelo (2015)
- Thole → Makgabea (2015)
- Brandfort → Winnie Mandela (2021)[29]
Gauteng
Gauteng, South Africa's most urbanised province, has seen a number of name changes. Probably the most controversial name change in South African history has been that of Pretoria, where there have been proposals to change the city's name to Tshwane (already the name of the metropolitan area it lies in).
Settlements
- Lyttelton → Verwoerdburg (1967) → Centurion (1994)
- The first name change in post-1994 South Africa. The town was originally named Lyttelton, but was renamed Verwoerdburg in 1967 in honour of Hendrik Verwoerd, the so-called "architect of Apartheid" and was deemed offensive to many people and was changed to the neutral name of Centurion.
- Midstream Estates → Midstream Estate (2003)[30]
- Lufhereng → Lufherani (2007)[31]
- Rietvlei → Zoo Manor (2009)[32]
- Dhlamini → Dlamini (2016)[15]
- Emdeni → Emndeni (2016)
- Emkatini → eMkhathini (2016)
- Isiphethweni → Esiphethweni (2016)
- Kaya Sands → Khaya sands (2016)
- Khatamping → Kgatlamping (2016)
- Kwenele → Kwanele (2016)
- Kyalami → Khayalami (2016)
- Leeuwpan → Leeupan (2016)
- Name altered from Dutch to Afrikaans orthography
- Mampinja → KwaMpanza (2016)
- Serope Seyabenye → Boiketlong (2016)
- Skilpad → Skilpaddam (2016)
- Skozana → Skhosana (2016)
- Snake Park → Thulani Park (2016)
- Sparwater → Spaarwater (2016)
- Tembisa → Thembisa (2016)
- Tokoza → Thokoza (2016)
- Tsakane → Tsakani (2016)
- Tswelapele → Tswelepole (2016)
- Tulisa Park → Thulisa Park (2016)
- Vivo → Vuyo (2016)
- Zonkezizwe → Zonkizizwe (2016)
- Dunusa → Tudor Shaft (2016)[33]
- Ethembalethu → iThembalethu (2016)
- Luipadsvlei → Luipaardsvlei (2016)
- Malatjie → Malatsi (2016)
- Munsienville → Munsieville (2016)
- Rent-en-dal → Rantedal (2016)
- Tswelapele → Tswelopele (2016)
- Zuikerboschfontien → Suikerbosfontein (2016)
- Name altered from Dutch to Afrikaans orthography
- Stinkwater → Reefentse (2018)[34]
- Kudube → Themba (2021)[35]
- Sophiatown → Triomf (1954) → Sophiatown (2006)
- In 2006 the suburb of Triomf had its name restored to Sophiatown. Before 1954 the area (then named Sophiatown) was mostly occupied by blacks but were forcibly moved due to it being near local white suburbs. The area was rezoned as Triomf (Afrikaans for "Triumph") with the original name restored 52 years later.
Streets
Johannesburg
In 2007 the Johannesburg Development Agency changed two street names named after apartheid era ministers:[36]
In 2013, every street of the R24 route in the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities specifically was renamed after Albertina Sisulu.[37] [38] Every street on this section of the R24 is now named Albertina Sisulu Road (with the exception of the westwards one-way street in Johannesburg CBD).
In 2014 the city administration continued the renaming of important streets in the city in order to "celebrate the city's shared past".[39]
On 26 September 2022, William Nicol Drive (which forms the entire M81 route and part of the R511 route) was renamed to Winnie Mandela Drive.[40] [41] [42] [43] [44]
Pretoria
In early 2012, 27 streets in central Pretoria had their name changed to reflect a "shared history" of the city.[45] [46] The streets renamed were;
- Walker-/Charles Street → Justice Mahomed Street
- Proes Street → Johannes Ramokhoase Street
- Duncan Street → Jan Shoba Street
- Genl. Louis Botha Drive → January Masilela Drive
- Esselen Street → Robert Sobukwe Street
- Vermeulen Street → Madiba Street
- Schubart Street→ Sophie de Bruyn Street
- Potgieter Street → Kgosi Mampuru Street
- Prinsloo Street → Sisulu Street
- Skinner Street → Nana Sita Street
- Jacob Maré Street → Jeff Masemola Street
- Queen Wilhelmina Street → Florence Ribeiro Avenue
- Van der Walt Street → Lillian Ngoyi Street
- Andries Street → Thabo Sehume Street
- DF Malan Drive → Eskia Mphahlele Drive
- Hans Strijdom Drive → Solomon Mahlangu Drive[47]
- Mitchell Street → Charlotte Maxeke Street
- Schoeman Street → Frances Baard Street
- Zambezi Drive → Sefako Makgatho Drive
- Hendrik Verwoerd Drive → Johan Heyns Drive
- Beatrix/Mears/Voortrekker Street → Steve Biko Street
- Church Street from Nelson Mandela Drive to the east → Stanza Bopape Street
- Church Street from Nelson Mandela Drive to Church Square → Helen Joseph Street
- Church Street from Church Square to the R511 → WF Nkomo Street
- Church Street from the R511 to the west → Elias Motswaledi Street
- Michael Brink Street → Nico Smith Street
- Leah Mangope Street → Peter Magano Street of mount frere
- Lucas Mangope Street → Molefe Makinta Street
Pretoria's new street names[48] all have background history to who these people are.
Airport
KwaZulu-Natal
The KwaZulu-Natal province was formed in 1994 from the merger of the then province of Natal and former bantustan of KwaZulu. The process in Durban has been criticized the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party and the Minority Front, who have expressed concerns that the process lacks participation from non-ANC parties and presents a partisan view of the anti-apartheid struggle.[49]
Settlements
- eMtentweni → eMthenteni (2006)[50]
- Emuziwezinto → eMuziwezinto (2006)
- Stanger → KwaDukuza (2006)
- KwaDukuza was the historic capital of the Zulu but was burnt to the ground in 1828. In 1873 European settlers founded the town Stanger on the site.
- Godlwayo → oGodlwayo (2006) [51]
- Kwampopoli → KwaMpopoli (2006)
- Kwalubisi → KwaLubisi (2006)
- Matshamnyama → eMatshamnyama (2006)
- Mboloba → eMboloba (2006)
- Mhlanganisi → eMhlanganweni (2006)
- Mkhwakhweni → eMkhwakhweni (2006)
- Nkomfe → KwaNkomfe (2006)
- Nyawoshane → Kwanyawoshane (2006)
- Sivule → eSivule (2006)
- Suzwaneni → eMsuzwaneni (2006)
- Dumenkungwini → KwaDumenkungwini (2007)[52]
- Mabophe → eMabophe (2007)
- Liba →Kwaliba (2007)
- Mafela → KwaMafela (2007)
- Mvelazitha → eMvelazitha (2007)
- Ndaleni → eNdalini (2007)
- Nsunduza → eNsunduza (2007)
- Sidakeni → eSidakeni (2007)
- Dlangubo → eNdlayangubo (2009)[53]
- Eslkhawini → eSikhaleni (2009)
- Gingindlovu → KwaGingindlovu (2009)
- kwaDlangezwa → KwaDlangezwa (2009)
- KwaMambuka Village → eMambuka Village (2009)
- Mlalaas → eMlalazi (2009)
- Nseleni → eNselini (2009)
- Yanguye → KwaSanguye (2009)
- Ntumeni → eNtumeni (2010)[54]
- Nyezane → eNyezane (2010)
- Nyoni → eNyoni (2010)
- Nyoni → iNyoni (2010)
- Teza → eSitheza (2010)
- Amanzimtoti → aManzimtoti (2010)[55]
- Congella → KwaKhangela (2010)
- Emingeni → eMingeni (2010)
- kwaMnyandu → KwaMnyandu (2010)
- Tongaat → oThongathi (2010)
- Umbogintwini → eZimbokodweni (2010)
- Umdloti → eMdloti (2010)
- Umhlanga Rocks → uMhlanga Rocks (2010)
- Umkomaas → eMkhomazi (2010)
- Umlaas → eMlaza (2010)
- Biyela → eBayala (2011)[56]
- Dambuza → KwaDambuza (2011)
- Emantshaheni → eMantshaheni (2011)
- Esibomvu → eZibomvini (2011)
- Gezubuso → KwaGezubuso (2011)
- Gwaliweni → eKwayiweni (2011)
- Inchanga → eNtshangwe (2011)
- Ixopo → eXobho (2011)
- Kwamngwangwa → KwaMgwagwa (2011)
- Loskop → eMangweni (2011)
- Mafakatini → eMafakatini (2011)
- Machibisa → KwaMachibisa(2011)
- Maphephethwa → eMaphephetheni (2011)
- Mkuze → eMkhuze (2011)
- Mhlosini → eMhlosinga (2011)
- Mnyandu → KwaMnyandu (2011)
- Mpande → KwaMpande (2011)
- Mtunzini → EMthunzini (2011)
- Noshezi → KwaNoshezi (2011)
- Pata → KwaPata (2011)
- Tsheni → eTsheni (2011)
- Umhlabatyana → eMhlabashana (2011)
- Umtentwini → eMthenteni (2011)
- Basiyeni → eBasiyeni (2012)[57]
- Bhekizwe → eBhekizwe (2012)
- Gade → KwaGade (2012)
- Gobandlovu →oGobandlovu (2012)
- Gubhethuka → KwaGubhethuka (2012)
- Isupaneng → Tsopaneng (2012)
- Khandisa → KwaKhandisa (2012)
- Mabuyeni → eMabuyeni (2012)
- Madaka → eMadaka (2012)
- Madlankala → eMadlangala (2012)
- Magebhukana → eMagebhukana (2012)
- Mankankaneni → eMankankaneni (2012)
- Msasandla → eMsasandla (2012)
- Mthintanyoni → eMthintanyoni (2012)
- Mtholonjaneni → eMatholonjeni (2012)
- Ndaya → eNdaya (2012)
- Ndlinemnyama → eNdlinemnyama (2012)
- Ndongeni → eZindongeni (2012)
- Ngunjini → eNgunjini (2012)
- Nhlangenyuke → eNhlangenyuke (2012)
- Nkothweni → eNkothweni (2012)
- Ntwasahlobo → eNtwasahlobo (2012)
- Sihuzu → eSihuzu (2012)
- Siminza → eSiminza (2012)
- Zigodweni → eZigodweni (2012)
- Bomvini → eBomvini (2013)[58]
- Dondolo → oDondolo (2013)
- Dozaneni → eDuzaneni (2013)
- Enkulu → eNkulu (2013)
- Gudlucingo → KwaGudlucingo (2013)
- Mangqomfini → eMongqomfini (2013)
- Mankwanyaneni → eMankwanyaneni (2013)
- Matshana → eMatshana (2013)
- Mbona → eMboni (2013)
- Mdutshini → eMdutshini (2013)
- Mevamhlophe → eMevamhlophe (2013)
- Mgangatho → eMgangatho (2013)
- Mtengu → eMtengu (2013)
- Mzinto → eMuziwezinto (2013)
- Nkoneni → eNkoneni (2013)
- Nqutshini → eNqutshini (2013)
- Nyosini → iNyosini (2013)
- Nzimakwe → KwaNzimakwe (2013)
- Shange → KwaShange (2013)
- Sigisi → eSigisi (2013)
- Thunzi → KwaThunzi (2013)
- Woza → eWozani (2013)
- Bhekabantu → KwaBhekabantu (2015)[59]
- Dokodweni → eDokodweni (2015)
- Dukemini → KwaDukemini (2015)
- Ebhudlwini → uBhudlu (2015)
- Ehlonzi → eHlonzi (2015)
- Emgudleni → eMgudleni (2015)
- eMpakathini → eMphakathini (2015)
- Endatsheni → eNdatsheni (2015)
- Enkangala → iNkangala (2015)
- Ezinyongo → eZinyongo (2015)
- Gcabhane → eGcabhane (2015)
- Inhlambamasoka → iNhlambamasoka (2015)
- KaSathane → KwaSathane (2015)
- Khovothi → oKhovothi (2015)
- Khuleni → oKhuleni (2015)
- Kwabonda → KwaBonda (2015)
- kwaNibela → KwaNibela (2015)
- Kwanyamazane → KwaNyamazane (2015)
- Macambini → eMacambini (2015)
- Mathonsi → KwaMathonsi (2015)
- Mathunzi → eMathunzi (2015)
- Mbizezelwe → eMbizimbelwe (2015)
- Mgwenya → eMngwenya (2015)
- Mhambuma → eMhambuma (2015)
- Mhlubulweni → (2015)
- Mpumbulu → eMpumbulu (2015)
- Mteyi → KwaMteyi (2015)
- Mvutshana → eMvutshana (2015)
- Nqutshini → eNqutshini (2015)
- Njinji → KaNjinji (2015)
- Shayisa → KwaShayisa (2015)
- Thandizwe → eThandizwe (2015)
- Thelizolo → eThelizolo (2015)
- Thengani → eThengani (2015)
- UMzinyana → eMzinyana (2015)
- Velabusha → eVelabusha (2015)
- Ziyendane → eZiyendane (2015)
- Doornhoek → eMahhukwini (2016)[14]
- Drifontein → eMhlwaneni (2016)
- Entembeni → eThembeni (2016)
- Gcongco → KwaCongco (2016)
- Kirkintulloch → eMibuzweni (2016)
- Kleinfontein → eNkuthu (2016)
- Kwaggafontein E → Entuthukweni (2016)
- Kwaggafontein E → Joana Jiyane (2016)
- Makhasanemi → eMakhasaneni (2016)
- Manzawayo → eManzawayo (2016)
- Mkhindini → eMkhindini (2016)
- Mthinomude → eMthinemide (2016)
- Rooderpoort → eZikhonkwaneni (2016)
- Skoeman → KwaNtababomvu (2016)
- Watershed → eNtantane (2016)
- Ezitendeni → eMhlangeni (2017)[60]
- Melomoth → eMthonjaneni (2017)
- oHlongeni → eNgoleleni (2017)
Dam
Airport
Limpopo
The most northerly province of South Africa, the Limpopo province saw some of the earliest name changes and to date more than any other province. The province was carved out of the former Transvaal and initially named the Northern Transvaal until the following year when it was known simply as the Northern Province. It kept this name until 2002[62] when it was renamed after the Limpopo River which forms South Africa's border with Zimbabwe. Settlement name changes especially targeted places of Afrikaans origin, such as Pietersburg (Polokwane), Nylstroom (Modimolle) and Ellisras (Lephalale), while avoiding places with Bantu or English names such as Northam, Alldays, Tzaneen and Thabazimbi. The Limpopo is the most ethnically black province in South Africa (96.7% as of 2011) and is likely to have made the name changes go more smoothly because of a lack of opposition from minority groups which are usually against name changes.
Settlements
- Dzanani Township → Mphephu (2003)[30]
- Makhado Township → Dzanani (2003)
- Addney B → Mampote (2005)[63]
- Berseba → GaMotadi (2005)
- Blackhill → GaKobe (2005)
- Boknafarm → Matjeketlane (2005)
- Burgerught → Mohome (2005)
- Dantzig → Radimang (2005)
- Ga-Madibeng → Madibeng (2005)
- Ga-Moyaga → GaMoyaha (2005)
- Glenfernis → Mokwena (2005)
- Grootdraai → Pitsimatome (2005)
- Johannesburg Farm → GaMaphoto (2005)
- Rittershouse → Yokumuru (2005)
- Toverfontein → Hlonasedimong (2005)
- Edinburg → Akani (2005)[64]
- Shotong → Shotoni (2006) [51]
- Naboomspruit → Mookgophong (Mookgopong) (2006)[65]
- Warmbad/Warmbaths → Bela-Bela (2002)[62]
- Ellisras → Lephalale (2002)[62]
- Louis Trichardt → Makhado (2003) → Louis Trichardt (2007)[62]
- The town was renamed Makhado in 2003, but was later in 2007 reverted to the original name of Louis Trichardt.
- Nylstroom → Modimolle (2002)[66] [62]
- Duiwelskloof → Modjadjiskloof (2004)[62]
- Unlike most name changes, Duiwelskloof kept the Afrikaans suffix "-kloof" (meaning valley) in its new name. The name "Ngoako Ramalepe" was also proposed.
- Dendron → Mogwadi[62]
- Potgietersrus → Mokopane (2003)[62]
- Soekmekaar → Morebeng (Morbeng)
- Messina → Musina (2003)[62]
- Pietersburg → Polokwane (2005)[62] (capital)
- Bochum → Senwabarwana[62]
- Vaalwater → Mabatlane (2006) → Vaalwater (2007)
- Joseph village → Josefa (2021)[67]
- Mabiligwe/Boxahuku village → Qaza (2021)
- Phalaborwa → BaPhalaborwa (?)
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga, itself renamed in 1995 from the Eastern Transvaal, has seen the entire northern half of the province renamed since 2005. As with the Limpopo province, most of the changes have affected names of Afrikaans origin, but also some with British links. These have included the capital, Nelspruit (Mbombela) as well as Witbank (eMalahleni) and Lydenburg (Mashishing). Unlike the Limpopo, the name changes in Mpumalanga have largely (as of 2011) been ignored and apart from the city of Witbank, road signs and usage of the new names has been rare.[68] Some names of Bantu origin have also been changed, because they were misspelled by early settlers, due to errors in transcription, such as Malelane, which was corrected to Malalane.
Settlements
- Almansdrift B → Mbhongo (2003)[30]
- Buffelspruit → Mhlambanyatsi (2003)
- De Putten → Seabe (2003)
- Jeppe's Reef → Magogeni (2003)
- Skilpadfontein → Marapyane (2003)
- Paayzynpan → Ditlhagane (2004) [69]
- Bhaca → Kadobi (2005)
- Block C → Esibayeni (2005)
- Ebersnake → Edludluma (2005) [9]
- Fig Tree → Kahhoyi (2005)
- Greenside → Mmaduma (2005)
- Hectorspruit → Emjejane (2005)
- Kabhunya → Kamakhatheni (2005)
- Ka-Sibhejane → Kasibhejane (2005)
- Kwaggafontein D → Somphalali (2005)
- KwaZibukwane → Kazibokwane (2005)
- Langeloop → Emtfuntini (2005)
- Naas → Kamachekeza (2005)
- New-Village → Kalomantasha (2005)
- New-Village → Kamasheshane (2005)
- Hartebeestpruit → Moloto North (2005)[63]
- Kwarrielaagte → Ntwane (2005)
- Madadeni → Sihlangu (2005)
- Middelkop → Lefiswane (2005)
- Roodekop Portion → Sehokho (2005)
- Blanchville → Valley Glen (2005)
- Boesmanskraal → eMpangeleni (2006)
- Boesmanspruit → Waterfall (2006)
- Diepdale → Etikhulungwane (2006)
- Diepgezet → Dibaba (2006)
- eMfazazana → Emfazezala (2006)
- Kaffirskraal → Ezimbuthumeni (2006)
- Kaffirskraalkopie → eNdlulamithini (2006)
- Kameelrivier B → Ga-Morwe (2006)
- Khombaso → Nsizwane (2006)
- Kriel → Ga-Nala (2006)
- Louis Creek → Ekhandizwe (2006)
- Malelane → Malalane (2006)
- Mgobhodzi → Kamawewe (2006)
- Schoemansdal → Kamatsamo (2006)
- Tweededronk → KwaZibhebhu (2006)
- Vrieskraal → Thabana (2006)
- Waterval B → Metsimadiba (2006)
- Witbank → eMalahleni (2006)
- Lydenburg → Mashishing (2006)
- Ackerville → KwaThomas Mahlanguville (2006)[70]
- Devet → eNtambende 1 (2006)
- Nordeen → eNtambende 11 (2006)
- Almandrift D → Ukukhanya (2006)[51]
- extension 10 → Hlalakahle (2006)
- Extension 12 → Mphumelelo (2006)
- Geelbeksvlei → Lefiso (2006)
- Kameelrivier A → Madubaduba (2006)
- Klipfontein → eNgwenyameni (2006)
- Mbabala → Kambabala (2006)
- Rooikopen A → Loding (2006)
- Wolwekraal → Maphotla (2006)
- Vlaklaagte No. 2 → Buhlebesizwe (2006)
- Zandspruit → Mmahlabane (2006)
- Allendal → Landela (2007) [31]
- Alicecot → Metsi (2007)
- Angincourt → Matsavana (2007)
- Antol → Humulani (2007)
- Arthurseat → Maripe (2007)
- Arthurstone → Buyisonto (2007)
- Brooklyn → Maotole (2007)
- Buffelshoek → Bolla Tau (2007)
- Casteel (2007) → Maboke (2007)
- Cork → Khokhamoya (2007)
- Cunningmore → Tiyimeleni (2007)
- Dingledayle → Chochocho (2007)
- Dwarsloop → Mafemani (2007)
- Graigburn → Motlamogatsane (2007)
- Hurrinton → Hundzukani (2007)
- Ireaqh → Khomanani (2007)
- Justica → Mhlumeni (2007)
- Kildare → Malamule (2007)
- London → Thabakgolo (2007)
- Madras → Mahukule (2007)
- Mavilijan → Ngwaritšane (2007)
- Newington → Manyakatana (2007)
- Oakley → Legokgwe (2007)
- Okkernooiboom → Xikhusese (2007)
- Rolle → Godide (2007)
- Ronaldsey → Fayini (2007)
- Somerset → Mahlobyanini (2007)
- Utha → Uta (2007)
- Violet Bak → Mmoleleng (2007)
- Wales → Mathoshe (2007)
- Alexandria → Hlanganani (2009)[53]
- Badplaas (2009) → eManzana (2009)
- Buhlebesize → eThembalethu (2009)
- Diepgezet → Ngoninl (2009)
- Eglington → Xalamuka (2009)
- Enkeldoorn → Leratong (2009)
- Ga-Maria → Ditlhokwe (2009)
- Goederede B → Bhundu (2009)
- Kameelpoortneck → Lithuli Village (2009)
- Matepula → Ramonanabela (2009)
- Mlalaas → eMlalazi (2009)
- Mooiplaas → Ebuhleni (2009)
- Nootgedacht → eMpumelelweni (2009)
- Pankop → Masobye (2009)
- Serville → Zakhiya (2009)
- Steynsdorp → eMlondozi (2009)
- Toitskraal → Redutše (2009)
- Tweefontein → Somaroboro (2009)
- Vaschfontein → Ga-Phamohlaka (2009)
- Vlaklaagte No. 1 → Mandlethu (2009)
- Woltwekraal → Borolo (2009)
- Tweefontein → Phumula (2009)[32]
- Steynsdorp → eMlondozi (2009)[71]
- Belfast → eMakhazeni (2009) [72]
- Machadodorp → eNtokozweni (2009) [72]
- Nelspruit → Mbombela (2009) [72] (capital)
- Waterval Boven → Emgwenya (2009) [72]
- Piet Retief → eMkhondo (2010)[54]
- Aankomste → Esgwili (2011) [56]
- Belvedere → Phophonyane (2011)
- Doornkoop 2 → Piet Tlou (2011)
- Hartebeeskop → Etjelembube (2011)
- Lochiel → eMbangweni (2011)
- Mafube Rural Village → Sikhululiwe (2011)
- Oshoek → Maphundlwane (2011)
- Ouboom → Esthobela (2011)
- Pampoene → eMgubaneni (2011)
- Smithfield → eMphelandaba (2011)
- Swallowsnest → Holeka (2011)
- Greylingstad → Nthorwane (2013)[73]
- Grootvlei → Thaba-Kgwali (2013)
- Enkeldoorin → KwaMusi (2015)[12]
- Gemsbokspruit → Mzimuhle (2015)
- Kwaggafontein → Ekukhanyeni (2015)
- kwaggafontein → Mthombomuhle (2015)
- Matheyzensloop → Entokozweni (2015)
- Sybrandskraal → Moloto South (2015)
- Embalenhle Extension E → Thoko Mabhena (2016)[14]
- Kwaggafontein E → Entuthukweni (2016)
- Kwaggafontein E → Joana Jiyane (2016)
- Kwaggafontein E → Mthunjwa (2016)
- Leandra → Thuli Fakude (2016)
- Mandela → Rekhuditse (2016)
- Tweefontein → Sesakhile (2016)
- Tweefontein M → Thokozani (2016)
- Prospect Farm → eHlanganani (2018)[74]
- Tafelhoek 1 → eSukumani (2018)
- Tweefelhoek 1 → eThuthukani (2018)
- Amsterdam → eMvelo (2019)[75]
- Inswepe → Insephe (2019)
- Driehoek → Uhlelo (2021)[35]
- Donkerhoek → Entababusuku (2021)
North West
In May 2013 North West province premier Thandi Modise said the province needed to be renamed and not just be referred to as a "direction on a compass".[76] One of the suggestions has been to rename North West after politician and activist Moses Kotane. There is, however, already a municipality in the province named after him.
Settlements
Northern Cape
In the Northern Cape, only six roads were renamed between 1994 and 2010, the fewest name changes in any province.[78]
Streets
The following street in Upington was renamed:
Airports
Western Cape
With the exception of Cape Town, the Western Cape has experienced only a few minor street name changes in the largest cities. There have, however, been a number of suggested name changes, particularly on the southern coast of the province, such as for the towns of George or Mossel Bay. The Economic Freedom Fighters have sought to expand the number of locations renamed within the Western Cape, stating that "Black South Africans are reminded of the oppression every day by names and statues that cannot be changed or removed".[82]
Settlements
Streets
The names of the following streets in Cape Town have been changed:
Airports
See also
Notes and References
- Book: Handbook on geographical names . 2002 . Department of Arts and Culture . 2 . 2nd .
- Web site: Whites protest at African name changes. TheGuardian.com. 27 July 2006.
- Web site: 'Africanizing' of names brings protest. 2 March 2002 .
- Web site: Hundreds protest Pretoria name change - UPI.com. UPI. 26 July 2023.
- Book: Raper, P.E. . Dictionary of Southern African Place Names . English.
- News: Where the hell are we? . News24.com . 9 March 2014 . Daniel . Mothowagae . 24 January 2019 .
- Web site: South African Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20120313132518/http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=59811. dead. 13 March 2012. www.gov.za.
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/26552a0.pdf Government Notice No. 830
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/27295a0.pdf Government Notice, No. 149
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/37092gon943.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201505/38800gen418.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201509/39201gon831.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- Web site: Minister Nathi Mthethwa on strides made in transforming South Africa’s heritage landscape South African Government . 2024-02-14 . www.gov.za.
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201602/39669gon161.pdf Arts and Culture: Publication of official geographical names
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201606/40081gon730.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201707/40953gon625.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201803/41517gon355.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201806/41738gon641.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201903/42329gon450.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202003/43124gon352.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202102/44181gon114.pdf South African Geographical Names Council Act
- Web site: Cradock- Nxba . 2024-05-06 . www.sahistory.org.za.
- https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/737785/all-the-new-name-changes-for-south-african-cities-towns-and-villages-in-2023/
- Web site: Dayimani . Malibongwe . Fort Beaufort was just renamed after Xhosa warrior chief Maqoma, and Somerset East is now Kwa Nojoli . 2023-03-14 . News24.
- Web site: Kirkwood has been renamed Nqweba ' meeting place' . 2024-03-28 . www.algoafm.co.za . en.
- News: Bloem airport name change commotion . News24.com . 8 November 2012 . 15 May 2020 .
- Web site: Government notice. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Another name change announced for South Africa.
- Web site: Approval of official place names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names. gov.za.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: gov.za. 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: gov.za. 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names.
- News: Hendrik Verwoerd Drive is no longer IOL. IOL. 2016-03-31.
- Erlank . Natasha . 2017 . From Main Reef to Albertina Sisulu Road: The Signposted Heroine and the Politics of Memory . The Public Historian . 39 . 2 . 31–50 . 10.1525/tph.2017.39.2.31 . 26420986 . 0272-3433.
- Web site: Cox . Anna . Ma Sisulu's name to be on 18 Joburg streets . 2023-01-22 . www.iol.co.za . en.
- Web site: city of Johannesburg - New street names celebrate Joburg's shared past … and future. Yollie. www.joburg.org.za. 2016-03-31.
- Web site: Nkonki . Anita . 26 September 2023 . EFF celebrates the fight for renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive . 28 September 2023 . IOL.
- Web site: 30 August 2023 . Goodbye William Nicol Drive . 28 September 2023 . BusinessTech.
- Web site: 2023-09-26 . William Nicol Drive to be renamed Winnie Mandela - eNCA . 2023-09-28 . www.enca.com . en.
- Web site: Patrick . Alex . William Nicol Drive officially renamed Winnie Mandela Drive . 2023-09-28 . News24 . en-US.
- Web site: Dentlinger . Lindsay . Cabinet backs CoJ decision to rename William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive . 2023-09-28 . ewn.co.za . en.
- Web site: Tshwane.gov.za (new street names for central Pretoria) - retrieved 4 February 2016. 26 July 2023.
- Web site: Pretoria's New Street Names. showme.co.za. 2016-03-31.
- Web site: Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Pretoria . 2016-04-18 . showme.co.za.
- Web site: Pretoria's New Street Names. showme.co.za. 2016-04-18.
- Duminy . James . Street Renaming, Symbolic Capital, and Resistance in Durban, South Africa . Environment and Planning D: Society and Space . April 2014 . 32 . 2 . 310–328 . 10.1068/d2112. 2014EnPlD..32..310D . 143940799 .
- Web site: Approval of official place names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Approval of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- http://www.ewisa.co.za/misc/DamKZNNtshingwayo/default.htm Ewisa.co.za, name change occurred in 2000
- Web site: All but 2 Limpopo towns renamed. News24.
- Web site: Approval of official place names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Approval of official place names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Correction of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: South African Department of Arts and Culture . Official South African Geographical Names System . 14 June 2002 . 11 January 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120120011844/http://sagns.dac.gov.za/PlaceNameSearch.aspx . 20 January 2012 . dmy-all.
- Web site: gov.za. 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names.
- Web site: Residents stick to 'old' city names. News24.
- Web site: Approval of official place names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Approval of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical name. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- Web site: New geographical name changes in Mpumalanga - Mpumalanga Provincial Government. mpumalanga.gov.za.
- Web site: gov.za. 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names.
- Web site: gov.za. 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names.
- Web site: Publication of official geographical names. gov.za. 8 September 2023.
- http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Premier-North-West-needs-name-change-20130523 News24 North West name change
- Web site: gov.za. 8 September 2023. Publication of official geographical names.
- Web site: 2010-10-13. Nearly 850 name changes in SA in 14 years. 2021-11-28. The Mail & Guardian. en-ZA.
- Web site: Siyanda District Municipality changes its name to ZF Mgcawu District Municipality. 2021-11-28. ZF Mgcawu District Municipality.
- Web site: About Upington Airport. 2021-11-28. Airports Company South Africa.
- Web site: John Scott. P.S.. 2018. The ANC could run out of airports, too. 2021-11-28. Netwerk24.
- News: EFF wants 40 Western Cape towns renamed . 28 March 2022 . News24 . 4 Jun 2015.
- Web site: Williams. Murray. 2012-01-19. 8 name changes for Cape roads. 2021-11-28. IOL. en.
- Web site: 2011-06-23. Eastern boulevard to be renamed. 2021-11-28. IOL. en.
- Web site: 2012-09-24. Cape Town road named after Biko. 2021-11-28. News24. en-US.
- Web site: Barnes. Clayton. 2013-03-22. Six streets in Cape Town renamed. 2021-11-28. IOL. en.
- Web site: Cronje. Jan. 2015. Vanguard Drive named after Jakes Gerwel. 2021-11-28. IOL. en.
- Web site: Petersen. Tammy. 2017-08-25. Cape Town's De Waal Drive renamed in honour of Philip Kgosana. 2021-11-28. News24. en-US.
- Web site: 2019-09-24. District Six's Keizersgracht Street officially renamed Hanover Street. 2021-11-28. IOL. en.
- News: Process to rename CT International Airport underway. Matangira. Lungelo. 2018-11-04. en.
