AfriForum deeply concerned about planned name changes of four Eastern Cape towns
12 October 2023
AfriForum and other stakeholders, including residents, political parties and other institutions, are up in arms after the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Art and Culture recently made a proposal that the names of four towns in this province be changed.
The proposal is that Graaff-Reinet’s name be changed to Robert Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie; Adendorp to Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba; Aberdeen to Camdeboo; and Nieu-Bethesda to Kwa Noheleni.
These proposed changes have already provoked widespread reaction. Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, argues that the proposed renaming of these four historic towns would be an unjustified expenditure of taxpayers’ money and that it is not necessary to do something like this as none of the current names cause any offense.
“These towns hold significant historical value and we intend to monitor the renaming process closely and play an active role in preventing it. These areas are deep-rooted farming communities with a rich heritage and history, which makes the decision to change their names even more insensitive and hurtful to the people who have cherished these towns for generations,” says Kriel.