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Since 1994, many places in
As of March 2014, the Eastern Cape has changed the name of 134 places, placing it third nationally after Mpumalanga and the Limpopo provinces. Most name changes have been correcting misspellings in the former homelands of
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
have been renamed. The following article covers the name changes in South Africa by province since the first democratic elections in 1994. National place names, such as towns, suburbs, and natural landforms, are decided by the South African Geographical Names Council, and provinces have their own geographical names committees.
Name changes that remove racial slurs such as the renaming of ''Kaffirskraal'' have broad support, as do changes that remove the names of British or Boer soldiers who committed atrocities against the black majority, but efforts since 2005 to replace names that are seen by some as inoffensive such as Lydenburg
Lydenburg, officially known as Mashishing, is a town in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, on the Mpumalanga highveld, South Africa. It is situated on the Sterkspruit/Dorps River tributary of the Lepelle River at the summit of the Long Tom Pass. ...
, which officials from the African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...
argue are necessary to address the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, have faced opposition from some white South Africans
The population of South Africa is about 58.8 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions. The South African National Census of 2022 was the most recent census held; the next will be in 2032.
In 2011, Statistics South ...
. There has also been criticism from some non-white South Africans, who accuse the government of ignoring anti-apartheid leaders who were not members of the ANC, while others have criticized the cost of the process.
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. Most name changes have been correcting misspellings in the former homelands of Transkei
Transkei (, meaning ''the area beyond he riverKei''), officially the Republic of Transkei ( xh, iRiphabliki yeTranskei), was an unrecognised state in the southeastern region of South Africa from 1976 to 1994. It was, along with Ciskei, a Ba ...
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) * Bolotwa → Bholothwa (2004) *Cintsa →Chintsa
Chintsa, alternatively rendered Cintsa, is a village in the Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. It is situated 38 km north-east from East London
East or Orient is one of the four cardinal directions or points ...
(2004)
*Engcobo → Ngcobo
Ngcobo (formerly Engcobo) is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Ngcobo is the main town of the Engcobo Local Municipality, which falls within the Chris Hani District Municipality of the Eastern Cape. It is situated in the weste ...
(2004)
*Gaika → Ngqika (2004)
*Idutywa → Dutywa
Dutywa (formerly Idutywa) is a town in Mbashe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa, that was founded in 1858 as a military fort after a dispute between a Natal Colony raiding party and its local people.Centane (2004)
*Mbashe → Mbhashe (2004)
*Mpetu → Mpethu (2004)
*Mphuti → Mputhi (2004)
*Mpotula → Mphothulo (2004)
*Ncora →
The province renamed the only international airport in
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
In early 2012, 27 streets in central Pretoria had their name changed to reflect a "shared history" of the city. 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 * 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
all have background history to who these people are.
The KwaZulu-Natal province was formed in 1994 from the merger of the then province of
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 when it was renamed after the
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. 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.
In May 2013 North West province premier
In the Northern Cape, only six roads were renamed between 1994 and 2010, the fewest name changes in any province.
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
Ncorha
Ncora, officially Ncorha is a town in Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the ...
(2004)
*Nqamakwe → Ngqamakhwe (2004)
*Nqabara → Nqabarha (2004)
*Nobokwe → Nobhokhwe (2004)
*Qolora → Qholorha (2004)
*Tanga → Thanga (2004)
*Umtata → Mthatha
Mthatha , formerly Umtata, is the main city of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in Eastern Cape province of South Africa and the capital of OR Tambo District Municipality. The city has an airport, previously known as the K. D. Matanz ...
(2004; former capital of Transkei)
*Baziya → Bhaziya (2005)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/27295a0.pdf
*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)
*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)
*Bityi → Bhityi (2015)
*Cancele → Chankcele (2015)
*Cobongo → Nkobongo (2015)
*Gxara → Gxarha (2015)
*Kobonqaba → Khobanqaba (2015)
*Komga → Qumrhra (2015)
*Kwezana → Khwezana
Kwezana is a village near Alice in the Tyume River valley.
It is the birthplace of Archibald 'Archie' Mncedisi Sibeko, and he gives an account of life in the village in the 1930s in his book. At that time there were about 18 homesteads in the ...
(2015)
*Lubacweni → Lubhacweni (2015)
*Macibini → Machibini (2015)
*Maluti → Maloti (2015)
*Manubi → Manyube (2015)
*Nanaga → Ncanarha (2015)
*Nqeleni → Ngqeleni
Ngqeleni is a town in OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Village in West Pondoland, 32 km southeast of Umtata and about 40 km north-north-west of Coffee Bay. The name is derived from the Xhosa ...
(2015)
*Printsu/Pirintsu/Pirintsho → Phirintsho (2015)
*Qugwaru → Qhugqwarhu (2015)
*Qumanco → Qhumanco (2015)
*Taleni → Thaleni (2015)
*Toleni → Tholeni (2015)
*Aliwal North → Maletswai
Aliwal North (officially Maletswai) is a town in central South Africa on the banks of the Orange River, Eastern Cape Province. It is a medium-sized commercial centre in the northernmost part of the Eastern Cape.
History
Sir Harry Smith, then ...
(2015)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201509/39201gon831.pdf
*Jamestown → James Calata
James Arthur Calata (1895 – 1983) was a South African priest and politician. He was the Secretary-General of the African National Congress from 1936 to 1949. He was appointed a canon of the Grahamstown Cathedral making him the first Black c ...
(2015)
*Elliot
Elliot (also spelled Eliot, Elliotte, Elliott, Eliott and Elyot) is a personal name which can serve as either a surname or a given name. Although the given name has historically been given to males, females have increasingly been given the name ...
→ Khowa (2016)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201602/39669gon161.pdf
*Lady Frere → Cacadu
Lady Frere (officially Cacadu) is a small town in Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town was renamed to Cacadu in 2017 after changes to the country's colonial names. Cacadu, meaning “bulrush wat ...
(2016)
*Mount Ayliff
Mount Ayliff, officially eMaxesibeni, is a small town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, near that province's border with KwaZulu-Natal. In the census of 2011, its population was recorded as being 5,367 people, of whom 98% described th ...
→ eMaxesibeni (2016)
*Mount Frere → KwaBhaca
Mount Frere, officially KwaBhaca, is a town located in the Eastern Cape province, previously known as the Transkei region, of South Africa. Its name in Xhosa is KwaBhaca, or "village of the Bhaca chiefdom", or "place of the Bhaca people", who set ...
(2016)
*Silver City and Ext 7 → Rholihlahla Residence (2016)
* Queenstown → Komani (2016)
*Umasizakhane → Masizakhe (2016)
*Alice → Dikeni (2016)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201606/40081gon730.pdf
*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)
*Kaffirskraal → Linga Diko (2018)
*Khalazembe → Khanya (2018)
*Grahamstown → Makhanda (2018)
*Cata → Chatha (2019)
*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)
*Marubeni → Marhubeni (2020)
*Qanqu → Qhankqu (2020)
*Cisirat → Chisirha (2021)
*Cizele → Chizele (2021)
*Katkop → Ngqayi (2021)
*Lota → Lotha (2021)
*Mfabantu → Khohlombeni (2021)
*Pierie Mission → Pirie Mission (2021)
*Port Elizabeth → Gqeberha ǃʱɛ̀ɓéːxà (2021)
*Uitenhage
Uitenhage ( ; ), officially renamed Kariega, is a South African town in the Eastern Cape Province. It is well known for the Volkswagen factory located there, which is the biggest car factory on the African continent. Along with the city of Port E ...
→ Kariega (2021)
*King William's Town → Qonce (2021)
*Maclear → Nqanqarhu, Eastern Cape (2021)
*Berlin
Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ...
→ Ntabozuko (2021)
*Braunschweig → Eluphendweni (?)
Airports
*Ben Schoeman
Barend Jacobus "Ben" Schoeman (19 January 1905 – 2 April 1986) was a South African politician of the National Party prominent during the apartheid era. He served as the Minister of Labour from 1948 to 1954, and the Minister of Transport from ...
Airport → East London Airport (1994) → King Phalo Airport (2021)
* K. D. Matanzima Airport → Mthatha Airport
Mthatha Airport is an airport serving Mthatha ( formerly Umtata), a city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The airport was previously named K. D. Matanzima Airport after Kaiser Matanzima, a president of the former Transkei.
Facili ...
(2004)
*Port Elizabeth International Airport → Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport is an airport serving Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), a city in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. It was formerly known as H. F. Verwoerd Airport and Port Elizabeth International Airport. The ...
(2021)
Rivers
*Kubusi River → Khubusi RiverFree State
The province renamed the only international airport in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein, ( ; , "fountain of flowers") also known as Bloem, is one of South Africa's three capital cities and the capital of the Free State province. It serves as the country's judicial capital, along with legislative capital Cape To ...
after anti-apartheid activist Bram Fischer
Abraham Louis Fischer (23 April 1908 – 8 May 1975) was a South African Communist lawyer of Afrikaner descent, notable for anti-apartheid activism and for the legal defence of anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela, at the Rivonia T ...
in 2012.
Settlements
* Petrus Steyn → Mamafubedu (2012) *Clocolan
Clocolan, established in 1906, is a small town in the Free State Province of South Africa. The Basotho called the place Hlohlolwane (Hlohla-o-lwane, "get up and fight"). New inhabitants mispronounced the name and called it Clocolan.
History
The ...
→ Hlohlolwane (2015)
*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
Brandfort, officially renamed Winnie Mandela in 2021, is a small agricultural town in the central Free State province of South Africa, about 60 km northeast of Bloemfontein on the R30 road. The town serves the surrounding farms for supplies ...
→ Winnie Mandela (2021)
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
Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa.
Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends eastward into the foot ...
, where there have been proposals to change the city's name to Tshwane
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (also known as the City of Tshwane) () is the metropolitan municipality that forms the local government of northern Gauteng Province, South Africa. The Metropolitan area is centred on the city of Pr ...
(already the name of the metropolitan area it lies in).
Settlements
*Verwoerdburg → Centurion (1994) **The first name change in post-1994 South Africa. Verwoerdburg was named afterHendrik Verwoerd
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd (; 8 September 1901 – 6 September 1966) was a South African politician, a scholar of applied psychology and sociology, and chief editor of '' Die Transvaler'' newspaper. He is commonly regarded as the architect ...
, the so-called "architect of Apartheid
Apartheid (, especially South African English: , ; , "aparthood") was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. Apartheid was ...
" and was deemed offensive to many people and was changed to the neutral name of Centurion.
*Midstream Estates → Midstream Estate (2003)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/24924a0.pdf
*Lufhereng → Lufherani (2007)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/315631185.pdf
*Rietvlei → Zoo Manor (2009)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/32632978.pdf
*Dhlamini → Dlamini (2016)
*Emdeni → Emndeni (2016)
*Emkatini → eMkhathini (2016)
*Isiphethweni → Esiphethweni (2016)
*Kaya Sands → Khaya sands (2016)
*Khatamping → Kgatlamping (2016)
*Kwenele → Kwanele (2016)
*Kyalami
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (from ''Khaya lami'', ''My home'' in Zulu) is a motor racing circuit located in Midrand, Gauteng, South Africa, just north of Johannesburg. The circuit has been used for Grand Prix and Formula One races and has ho ...
→ Khayalami (2016)
*Leewpan → Leeupan (2016)
*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
Thokoza, formerly Tokoza, is a township in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Thokoza is at the location of the now-defunct Palmietfontein Airport. It is situated south east of Alberton, adjacent to Katlehong. Thokoza was the first black township which was e ...
(2016)
*Tsakane
Tsakane is a township located in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa. It was established during the early 1960s due to Apartheid's segregationist policies and was formally founded as a designated area. Tsakane is a Tsonga word which means joy or hap ...
→ Tsakani (2016)
*Tswelapele → Tswelepole (2016)
*Tulisa Park
Tulisa Park is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region F of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality is a metropolitan municipality that manages the local gov ...
→ Thulisa Park (2016)
*Vivo → Vuyo (2016)
*Zonkezizwe → Zonkizizwe (2016)
*Dunusa → Tudor Shaft (2016)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201610/40340gon1238.pdf
*Ethembalethu → iThembalethu (2016)
*Luipadsvlei → Luipaardsvlei (2016)
*Malatjie → Malatsi (2016)
*Munsienville → Munsieville (2016)
*Rent-en-dal → Rantedal (2016)
*Tswelapele → Tswelopele (2016)
*Zuikerboschfontien → Suikerbosfontein (2016)
*Stinkwater → Reefentse (2018)
*Kudube → Themba (2021)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202108/44912gon670.pdf
*Sophiatown → Triomf (1954) → Sophiatown
Sophiatown , also known as Sof'town or Kofifi, is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. Sophiatown was a black cultural hub that was destroyed under apartheid, It produced some of South Africa's most famous writers, musicians, politicians a ...
(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 former name restored 52 years later.
Streets
Johannesburg
* In 2001 The Johannesburg City Administration changed the name of DF Malan Drive toBeyers Naudé Drive
Beyers Naudé Drive is a large arterial route in Johannesburg, South Africa. It starts at the University of Johannesburg in Auckland Park, travelling through Melville, Roosevelt Park, Northcliff, Blackheath and traversing the N1 Western Bypa ...
. Also it changed the name of the Library Gardens to Beyers Naudé Square in order to commemorate Beyers Naudé
Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naudé (10 May 1915 – 7 September 2004) was a South African Afrikaner Calvinist Dominee, theologian and the leading Afrikaner anti-apartheid activist. He was known simply as Beyers Naudé, or more colloquially, ...
.
In 2007 the Johannesburg Development Agency changed two street names named after apartheid era ministers:
* Henrik Verwoerd Drive → Bram Fischer
Abraham Louis Fischer (23 April 1908 – 8 May 1975) was a South African Communist lawyer of Afrikaner descent, notable for anti-apartheid activism and for the legal defence of anti-apartheid figures, including Nelson Mandela, at the Rivonia T ...
Drive
* Hans Strijdom road → Malibongwe Drive
Malibongwe Drive, formerly known as Hans Strijdom Drive ( af, Hans Strijdom-rylaan), is a major road that runs through an industrial area in the northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. It connects Randburg with Northgate and Lanseria Internat ...
In 2013, every street of the R24 route
The R24 is a major East-West provincial route in the Gauteng and North West provinces that links OR Tambo International Airport with Rustenburg via Johannesburg, Krugersdorp and Magaliesburg. The process of renaming the streets and freeway tha ...
in the Johannesburg
Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Dem ...
and Ekurhuleni
The City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is a metropolitan municipality that forms the local government of the East Rand region of Gauteng. The municipality itself is a large suburban region east of Johannesburg. The name ''Ekurhuleni'' m ...
municipalities specifically was renamed after Albertina Sisulu
Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu ( Thethiwe; 21 October 1918 – 2 June 2011) was a South African anti-apartheid activist, and the wife of fellow activist Walter Sisulu (1912–2003). She was affectionately known as "Ma Sisulu" throughout her li ...
. Every street on this section of the R24 is now named Albertina Sisulu Road.
In 2014 the city administration continued the renaming of important streets in the city in order to "celebrate the city's shared past".
* Sauer Street → Pixley ka Isaka Seme
Pixley ka Isaka Seme (c. 1881 – June 1951) was a South African lawyer and a founder and President of the African National Congress.
Early life
Seme was born the fourth son of Sinono Kuwana Seme in Durban, in what was then called the Colony of ...
Street
* Bree Street → Lillian Ngoyi
Lilian Masediba Matabane Ngoyi, "Mma Ngoyi", (25 September 1911 – 13 March 1980) was a South African anti-apartheid activist.
She was the first woman elected to the executive committee of the African National Congress, and helped launch ...
Street
* Jeppe Street → Rahima Moosa Street
* Presidents Street → Helen Joseph
Helen Beatrice Joseph (''née'' Fennell) (8 April 1905 – 25 December 1992) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Born in Sussex, England, Helen graduated with a degree in English from the University of London in 1927 and then departe ...
Street
* Noord Street → Sophie de Bruyn Street
Pretoria
In early 2012, 27 streets in central Pretoria had their name changed to reflect a "shared history" of the city. 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 * 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
all have background history to who these people are.
Airport
*Jan Smuts
Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts, (24 May 1870 11 September 1950) was a South African statesman, military leader and philosopher. In addition to holding various military and cabinet posts, he served as prime minister of the Union of South Af ...
International Airport → Johannesburg International Airport (1994) → O. R. Tambo International Airport (2006)
KwaZulu-Natal
The KwaZulu-Natal province was formed in 1994 from the merger of the then province of Natal
NATAL or Natal may refer to:
Places
* Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, a city in Brazil
* Natal, South Africa (disambiguation), a region in South Africa
** Natalia Republic, a former country (1839–1843)
** Colony of Natal, a former British colony ( ...
and former bantustan of KwaZulu
KwaZulu was a semi-independent bantustan in South Africa, intended by the apartheid government as a homeland for the Zulu people. The capital was moved from Nongoma to Ulundi in 1980.
It was led until its abolition in 1994 by Chief Mangosuth ...
. The process in Durban has been criticized the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party ( zu, IQembu leNkatha yeNkululeko, IFP) is a right-wing political party in South Africa. The party has been led by Velenkosini Hlabisa since the party's 2019 National General Conference. Mangosuthu Buthelezi founded ...
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.
Settlements
*eMtentweni → eMthenteni (2006) *Emuziwezinto → eMuziwezinto (2006) *Stanger →KwaDukuza
KwaDukuza is a municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 2006, the municipal name was changed to KwaDukuza (which incorporates small towns such as Stanger, Balito, Shaka's Kraal, but the Zulu people in the area called it "Dukuza" well before ...
(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) https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/28946a.pdf
*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)
*Mabophe → eMabophe (2007)
*Liba →Kwaliba (2007)
*Mafela → KwaMafela (2007)
*Mvelazitha → eMvelazitha (2007)
*Ndaleni → eNdalini (2007)
*Nsunduza → eNsunduza (2007)
*Sidakeni → eSidakeni (2007)
*Dlangubo → eNdlayangubo (2009)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/32567906.pdf
*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)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/3289824.pdf
*Nyezane → eNyezane (2010)
*Nyoni → eNyoni (2010)
*Nyoni → iNyoni (2010)
*Teza → eSitheza (2010)
*Amanzimtoti → aManzimtoti (2010)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/33584848.pdf
*Congella → KwaKhangela (2010)
*Emingeni → eMingeni (2010)
*kwaMnyandu → KwaMnyandu (2010)
*Tongaat → oThongathi (2010)
*Umbongintwini → eZimbokodweni (2010)
*Umdloti → eMdloti (2010)
*Umhlanga Rocks → uMhlanga Rocks (2010)
*Umkhomazi → (2010)
*Umlaas → eMlaza (2010)
*Biyela → eBayala (2011)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/34651gon832.pdf
*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)
*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)
*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)
*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)
*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)
*Melomoth → eMthonjaneni (2017)
*oHlongeni → eNgoleleni (2017)
Dam
*Chelmsford
Chelmsford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in the City of Chelmsford district in the county of Essex, England. It is the county town of Essex and one of three cities in the county, along with Southend-on-Sea and Colchester. It ...
Dam → Ntshingwayo Dam (2000)
Airport
*Louis Botha
Louis Botha (; 27 September 1862 – 27 August 1919) was a South African politician who was the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa – the forerunner of the modern South African state. A Boer war hero during the Second Boer War, ...
Airport → Durban International Airport. In 2010 the airport was closed down and was replaced by the newly built King Shaka International 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 when it was renamed after the Limpopo River
The Limpopo River rises in South Africa and flows generally eastward through Mozambique to the Indian Ocean. The term Limpopo is derived from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), a group of Tsonga settlers led by Hosi Rivombo who settled in the mountain ...
which forms South Africa's border with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and ...
. 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
Tzaneen () is a large tropical garden town situated in the Mopani District Municipality of the Limpopo province in South Africa. It is situated in a high rainfall fertile region with tropical and subtropical agriculture taking place in a region ...
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) *Makhado Township → Dzanani (2003) *Addney B → Mampote (2005)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/27408a.pdf *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) *Shotong → Shotoni (2006) *Naboomspruit → Mookgophong (2006) *Warmbaths →Bela-Bela
Bela-Bela ( Tswana/Pedi for "the pot that boils") is a town in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Deriving its name from the geothermic hot springs around which the town was built, it was called Warmbaths, until 2002.
The town is situated in ...
*Ellisras → Lephalale
*Louis Trichardt → Makhado (2003) → Louis Trichardt (2007)
**The town was renamed Makhado in 2003, but was later in 2007 reverted to the original name of Louis Trichardt.
*Nylstroom → Modimolle
Modimolle, also known as Nylstroom, is a town located near the southern edge of the Waterberg Massif in Limpopo province, South Africa. It is a medium-sized town that focuses primarily on agriculture and farming (citrus, grapes and cattle) as well ...
*Duiwelskloof → Modjadjiskloof
**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
*Potgietersrus → Mokopane
*Soekmekaar → Morebeng
*Messina → Musina
Musina (; formerly Messina) is the northernmost town in the Limpopo province of South Africa. It is located near the confluence of the Limpopo River with the Sand River and the border to Zimbabwe. It has a population of between 20,000 and 40, ...
*Pietersburg → Polokwane
Polokwane (, meaning "Sanctuary" in Northern SothoPolokwane - The Heart of the Limpopo Province ...
(capital)
*Bochum → Senwabarwana
*Vaalwater → Mabatlane (2006) → Vaalwater
Vaalwater is a small town situated on the Mokolo River in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Geography
Location
The town, unlike other towns in the Limpopo province, is not located on a national road, of which the nearest one is at Nylstr ...
(2007)
*Joseph village → Josefa (2021)
*Mabiligwe/Boxahuku village → Qaza (2021)
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. 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) *Buffelspruit → Mhlambanyatsi (2003) *De Putten → Seabe (2003) *Jeppe's Reef → Magogeni (2003) *Skilpadfontein → Marapyane (2003) *Paayzynpan → Ditlhagane (2004) https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/26374a0.pdf *Bhaca → Kadobi (2005) *Block C → Esibayeni (2005) *Ebersnake → Edludluma (2005) *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) *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
Schoemansdal (officially KaMatsamo) is a town in the province of Mpumalanga (eastern Transvaal) in South Africa. It is located 23 kilometres south of Malalane.
During the period when the policies of separate development were implemented under ...
(2006)
*Tweededronk → KwaZibhebhu (2006)
*Vrieskraal → Thabana (2006)
*Waterval B → Metsimadiba (2006)
*Witbank
Witbank (), officially Emalahleni, is a city situated on the Highveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa, within the Emalahleni Local Municipality. The name Witbank is Afrikaans for "white ridge", and is named after a white sandstone outcrop where wa ...
→ eMalahleni (2006)
*Lydenburg
Lydenburg, officially known as Mashishing, is a town in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, on the Mpumalanga highveld, South Africa. It is situated on the Sterkspruit/Dorps River tributary of the Lepelle River at the summit of the Long Tom Pass. ...
→ Mashishing (2006)
*Ackerville → KwaThomas Mahlanguville (2006)
*Devet → eNtambende 1 (2006)
*Nordeen → eNtambende 11 (2006)
*Almandrift D → Ukukhanya (2006)
*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)
*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)
* 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)
*Steynsdorp → eMlondozi (2009)
*Belfast → eMakhazeni (2009)
*Machadodorp → eNtokozweni (2009)
*Nelspruit → Mbombela (2009) (capital)
*Waterval Boven → Emgwenya (2009)
*Piet Retief → eMkhondo (2010)
*Aankomste → Esgwili (2011)
*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
Greylingstad (Afrikaans for ''Greyling City''), officially Nthorwane, is a small farming town west of Standerton in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
History Early 20th century
The town was founded in 1909 by the Dutch Reformed Church and was named ...
→ Nthorwane (2013)
* Grootvlei → Thaba-Kgwali (2013)
*Enkeldoorin → KwaMusi (2015)
*Gemsbokspruit → Mzimuhle (2015)
*Kwaggafontein → Ekukhanyeni (2015)
*kwaggafontein → Mthombomuhle (2015)
*Matheyzensloop → Entokozweni (2015)
*Sybrandskraal → Moloto South (2015)
*Embalenhle Extension E → Thoko Mabhena (2016)
*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)
*Tafelhoek 1 → eSukumani (2018)
*Tweefelhoek 1 → eThuthukani (2018)
*Amsterdam → eMvelo (2019)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201912/42912gon1662.pdf
*Inswepe → Insephe (2019)
*Driehoek → Uhlelo (2021)
*Donkerhoek → Entababusuku (2021)
North West
In May 2013 North West province premier Thandi Modise
Thandi Modise (born 25 December 1959) is a South African politician who is currently serving as the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. She was previously the Premier of the North West from 2010 to 2014, Chairperson of the National Cou ...
said the province needed to be renamed and not just be referred to as a "direction on a compass". One of the suggestions has been to rename North West after politician and activist Moses Kotane
Moses Mauane Kotane (9 August 190519 May 1978) was a South African politician and activist. Kotane was secretary general of the South African Communist Party from 1939 until his death in 1978.
. There is, however, already a municipality in the province named after him.
Settlements
*Hartbeesfontein → Lethabong (2004) *Austrey → Mosinki (2008) *Goodwood → Phuane (2008) *Jakkalsdrai → Dipodi (2009) *Goedgewonden → Rentse Village (2010) *Mafeking → Mafikeng →Mahikeng
Mafikeng, officially known as Mahikeng and previously Mafeking (, ), is the capital city of the North West Province (South Africa), North West province of South Africa.
Close to South Africa's border with Botswana, Mafikeng is northeast of Cape ...
(2010)
*Heefers Lust → Mararampe (2016)https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201612/40484gon1539.pdf
*Klipan → Kgangkgang (2016)
*Nooitgedacht → Lokotsi (2016)
Northern Cape
In the Northern Cape, only six roads were renamed between 1994 and 2010, the fewest name changes in any province.
Streets
The following street inUpington
Upington ( Nama: //Khara hais) is a town founded in 1873 and located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River. The town was originally called Olijvenhoutsdrift ('Olive wood drift'), due to the abundance of ...
was renamed:
* Brug Street → ZF Mgcawu Street (2013)
Airports
* Pierre van Ryneveld Airport → Upington Airport (1994) *B.J. Vorster
Balthazar Johannes "B. J." Vorster (; also known as John Vorster; 13 December 1915 – 10 September 1983) was a South African apartheid politician who served as the prime minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978 and the fourth state presiden ...
Airport → Kimberley Airport (1994)
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
George may refer to:
People
* George (given name)
* George (surname)
* George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George
* George Washington, First President of the United States
* George W. Bush, 43rd Presid ...
or Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay ( af, Mosselbaai) is a harbour town of about 99,000 people on the Southern Cape (or Garden Route) of South Africa. It is an important tourism and farming region of the Western Cape Province. Mossel Bay lies 400 kilometres east of the ...
. 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".
Settlements
*Schotchekloof →Bo-Kaap
The Bo-Kaap (lit. "above the Cape" in Afrikaans) is an area of Cape Town, South Africa formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is a former racially segregated area, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre and is a historical ...
(2016)
*Teslaarsdal → Tesselaarsdal (2016)
*Zonnebloem → District Six
District Six (Afrikaans ''Distrik Ses'') is a former inner-city residential area in Cape Town, South Africa. Over 60,000 of its inhabitants were forcibly removed during the 1970s by the apartheid regime.
The area of District Six is now ...
(2019)
Streets
The names of the following streets inCape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
have been changed:
* Western Boulevard (section of the M6) → Helen Suzman
Helen Suzman, OMSG, DBE (née Gavronsky; 7 November 1917 – 1 January 2009) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. She represented a series of liberal and centre-left opposition parties during her 36-year tenure in th ...
Boulevard (2011)
* Eastern Boulevard → Nelson Mandela Boulevard (2011)
* Oswald Pirow
Oswald Pirow, QC (Aberdeen, Cape Colony (now Eastern Cape South Africa), 14 August 1890 – Pretoria, Transvaal, Union of South Africa , 11 October 1959) was a South African lawyer and far right politician, who held office as minister of Jus ...
Street → Christiaan Barnard
Christiaan Neethling Barnard (8 November 1922 – 2 September 2001) was a South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant operation. On 3 December 1967, Barnard transplanted the heart of accident-v ...
Street (2011)
* NY1
NY1 (also officially known as Spectrum News NY1 and spoken as New York One) is an American cable news television channel founded by Time Warner Cable, which itself is owned by Charter Communications through its acquisition in May 2016. The channe ...
→ Stephen Biko Drive (2012)
* Hendrik Verwoerd
Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd (; 8 September 1901 – 6 September 1966) was a South African politician, a scholar of applied psychology and sociology, and chief editor of '' Die Transvaler'' newspaper. He is commonly regarded as the architect ...
Drive → Uys Krige Drive (2013)
* Lansdowne Lansdowne or Lansdown may refer to:
People
* Lansdown Guilding (1797–1831), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines naturalist and engraver
*Fenwick Lansdowne (1937–2008), Canadian wildlife artist
* George Granville, 1st Baron Lansdowne (1666–1735) ...
Road → Imam Haron Road, Japhta K Masemola Road, and Govan Mbeki
Govan Archibald Mvuyelwa Mbeki (9 July 1910 – 30 August 2001) was a South African politician, military commander, Communist leader who served as the Secretary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, at its inception in 1961. He was also the son of Chief Sike ...
Road (2013)
* Coen Steytler Avenue → Walter Sisulu
Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (18 May 1912 – 5 May 2003) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress (ANC). Between terms as ANC Secretary-General (1949–1954) and ANC Deputy President (1991–1994), h ...
Avenue (2013)
* Modderdam Road → Robert Sobukwe
Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe (5 December 1924 – 27 February 1978) was a prominent South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), serving as the first president of the organization.
Sobukwe w ...
Road (2013)
* Table Bay Boulevard → FW de Klerk
Frederik Willem de Klerk (, , 18 March 1936 – 11 November 2021) was a South African politician who served as state president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 and as deputy president from 1994 to 1996 in the democratic government. As South ...
Boulevard (2015)
* Vanguard Drive → Jakes Gerwel Drive (2015)
* De Waal Drive → Philip Kgosana Drive (2017)
* Hanover Street → Keizersgracht Street (1968) → Hanover Street (2019)
* Intersection of St George's Mall and Castle Street → Krotoa Place
Airports
* P.W. Botha Airport →George Airport
George Airport ( af, George Lughawe) is an airport located in George, Western Cape, South Africa. It was formerly known as P.W. Botha Airport, named after the state president who lived in this part of the country.
This airport was originally ...
(1994)
*D.F. Malan
Daniël François Malan (; 22 May 1874 – 7 February 1959) was a South African politician who served as the fourth prime minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954. The National Party implemented the system of apartheid, which enforc ...
Airport → Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town International Airport is the primary international airport serving the city of Cape Town, and is the second-busiest airport in South Africa and fourth-busiest in Africa. Located approximately from the city center, the airport wa ...
(1994)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Renamed places in South Africa Geographical naming disputes South African culture Politics of South AfricaSouth Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
Renamed