Gayton McKenzie Approves New Name Changes for Mountains and a River in KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has officially approved the name changes for five mountains, a river, and a hill in KwaZulu-Natal. This latest decision is part of an ongoing nationwide effort to rename geographical features to reflect South Africa’s cultural transformation and heritage restoration. The minister’s approval was made public through a government notice, invoking Section 10 (2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No 118 of 1998).

Continuous Push for Name Changes Across South Africa

The country has seen an increasing push to rename not only natural features but also towns, cities, roads, and public spaces. The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) is at the forefront of these efforts. To date, the council has processed and renamed 1,505 geographical features across South Africa, with KwaZulu-Natal (362) and Eastern Cape (312) leading the way.

Currently, there are 66 pending applications for name changes under review. Notable recent name changes include the transformation of Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha, Grahamstown to Makhanda, and King Williamstown to Qonce.

Public Reactions: A Divisive Debate

While the government stresses that these changes are essential for promoting “transformation of the cultural heritage” and “restorative justice,” public opinion remains deeply divided. Some residents embrace the changes as necessary steps toward inclusivity and cultural recognition, while others are concerned about the financial and administrative impact.

Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, has raised concerns over the motivations behind these changes. In her view, the renaming process has become “haphazard,” and in some instances, it appears to be more of a competition among provinces to see who can change more names rather than addressing genuine concerns over offensive or outdated names.

She highlighted that residents are often more concerned with economic opportunities and improved service delivery rather than symbolic cultural actions such as name changes. Bailey further argued that these actions could foster division in communities, rather than promoting the unity and mutual respect the country needs.

What’s Next?

While the renaming process is ongoing, the next major geographical change expected in South Africa is the renaming of East London. However, the debate is likely to continue as the nation grapples with the balance between cultural transformation and the practical implications of widespread name changes.

The approval of these latest changes is just one chapter in a long story of South Africa’s evolving cultural landscape. Whether it unites or polarizes communities, one thing is clear—South Africa’s geographical features are continuing to change, along with the identity and heritage they represent.