The Grahamstown Residents Association (GRA) on Friday posted on their Facebook page information about a potential name change for Grahamstown and the deadline before which objections should be raised.
The Grahamstown Residents Association (GRA) on Friday posted on their Facebook page information about a potential name change for Grahamstown and the deadline before which objections should be raised.
This information was published in the Dispatch and Herald newspapers and came from the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographic Name Committee (ECPGNC).
The proposed new name for the city is Makhanda. The reason given in the ECPGNC information is:
"Replacement of a name that epitomises brutal colonial subjugation with one that epitomises redress and restoration of human dignity."
In response to this, the GRA said, "GRA has grown and now has members who agree and oppose, so we are not advocating a position, but we do believe there should be fair process, and those wishing to comment should see [contact information]below."
They also said they had alerted the Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) group.
The announcement said, "The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographic Names Committee hereby notifies and invites members of the public to comment on applications for the standardisation of geographical names that are being considered by the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC).
Comments may be submitted in writing for the attention of ECPGNC to KT Msengana with the aid of the following email addresses. kenneth.msengana@ecsrac.gov.za or sanelisiwe.ngaleka@ecsrac.gov.za. Deadline 6 June.
