List of renamed places in South Africa

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[5]

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Eastern Cape

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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. [citation needed]

Settlements

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  • 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)[24]
  • Fort Beaufort → KwaMaqoma (2023)[24]
  • Kirkwood → Nqweba (2024)[25]

Airports

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Rivers

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Free State

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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

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Gauteng

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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

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  • 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

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Johannesburg

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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).[37][38]

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

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Some changes in Pretoria Central

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

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KwaZulu-Natal

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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

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  • 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 → eManzimtoti (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)

Airport

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Limpopo

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Old N1 sign showing the city of Polokwane's former name Pietersburg
 
N1 sign showing Polokwane's new name

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

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  • 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

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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

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  • 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

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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

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Northern Cape

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In the Northern Cape, only six roads were renamed between 1994 and 2010, the fewest name changes in any province.[78]

Streets

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The following street in Upington was renamed:

Airports

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Western Cape

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Helen Suzman Boulevard in Cape Town, renamed from Western Boulevard in 2011

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

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Streets

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The names of the following streets in Cape Town have been changed:

Airports

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References

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  1. ^ Handbook on geographical names (PDF) (2nd ed.). Department of Arts and Culture. 2002. p. 2.
  2. ^ "Whites protest at African name changes". TheGuardian.com. 27 July 2006.
  3. ^ "'Africanizing' of names brings protest". 2 March 2002.
  4. ^ "Hundreds protest Pretoria name change - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Raper, P.E. Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (PDF).
  6. ^ Mothowagae, Daniel (9 March 2014). "Where the hell are we?". News24.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  7. ^ "South African Government". www.gov.za. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012.
  8. ^ Government Notice No. 830 gov.za
  9. ^ a b c Government Notice, No. 149 gov.za
  10. ^ South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  11. ^ South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  12. ^ a b South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  13. ^ "Minister Nathi Mthethwa on strides made in transforming South Africa's heritage landscape | South African Government". www.gov.za. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Arts and Culture: Publication of official geographical names gov.za
  15. ^ a b South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
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  18. ^ South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  19. ^ South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  20. ^ South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  21. ^ South African Geographical Names Council Act gov.za
  22. ^ "Cradock- Nxba". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  23. ^ https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/737785/all-the-new-name-changes-for-south-african-cities-towns-and-villages-in-2023/ [bare URL]
  24. ^ a b Dayimani, Malibongwe. "Fort Beaufort was just renamed after Xhosa warrior chief Maqoma, and Somerset East is now Kwa Nojoli". News24. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Kirkwood has been renamed Nqweba ' meeting place'". www.algoafm.co.za. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Bloem airport name change commotion". News24.com. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
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  36. ^ "Hendrik Verwoerd Drive is no longer | IOL". IOL. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
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  39. ^ Yollie. "city of Johannesburg - New street names celebrate Joburg's shared past … and future". www.joburg.org.za. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  40. ^ Nkonki, Anita (26 September 2023). "EFF celebrates the fight for renaming of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive". IOL. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  41. ^ "Goodbye William Nicol Drive". BusinessTech. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  42. ^ "William Nicol Drive to be renamed Winnie Mandela - eNCA". www.enca.com. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
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  44. ^ Dentlinger, Lindsay. "Cabinet backs CoJ decision to rename William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  45. ^ "Tshwane.gov.za (new street names for central Pretoria) - retrieved 4 February 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 26 July 2023.
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  47. ^ "Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu | Pretoria". showme.co.za. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
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  61. ^ Ewisa.co.za, name change occurred in 2000 - Retrieved 12 September 2013
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  78. ^ "Nearly 850 name changes in SA in 14 years". The Mail & Guardian. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  79. ^ "Siyanda District Municipality changes its name to ZF Mgcawu District Municipality". ZF Mgcawu District Municipality. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
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  81. ^ John Scott, P.S. (2018). "The ANC could run out of airports, too". Netwerk24. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  82. ^ "EFF wants 40 Western Cape towns renamed". News24. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
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  84. ^ a b "Eastern boulevard to be renamed". IOL. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
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  86. ^ a b c d Barnes, Clayton (22 March 2013). "Six streets in Cape Town renamed". IOL. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
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  88. ^ Petersen, Tammy (25 August 2017). "Cape Town's De Waal Drive renamed in honour of Philip Kgosana". News24. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  89. ^ "District Six's Keizersgracht Street officially renamed Hanover Street". IOL. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  90. ^ Matangira, Lungelo. "Process to rename CT International Airport underway". Retrieved 4 November 2018.

See also

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