last updated: 11 February 2026
South Africa has officially gazetted a major set of geographic name changes that directly affect travellers, maps, bookings and travel planning. The changes were published in Government Gazette No. 54101 (06 February 2026) by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture under the South African Geographical Names Council Act.
This means the new names are now official and legally recognised.
Major tourism destinations renamed
For travellers, tour operators and travel planners, the most significant update is that two well-known tourism towns no longer officially exist under their previous names.
Key town name changes
- East London > KuGompo City (Eastern Cape)
- Graaff-Reinet > Robert Sobukwe Town (Eastern Cape)
- Aberdeen > Xamdeboo (Eastern Cape)
- Adendorp > Bishop Limba (Eastern Cape)
- Barkly East > Ekhephini (Eastern Cape)
These names are now the official geographic names used by government departments and will gradually replace the old names across travel platforms and signage.
Why this matters for travellers
Although the historic names will remain in everyday use for some time, the new names now apply to:
- Road signage (rolled out gradually)
- Official tourism marketing
- GPS and mapping services (updates typically follow gazetting)
- Booking systems and travel documents
- Future guidebooks and itineraries
Expect a multi-year transition period where both names appear together.
Typical examples travellers may see:
- Flights may still list ist King Phalo Airport (ELS) – East London for now.
- Guesthouses may advertise “near Graaff-Reinet (Robert Sobukwe)”.
This dual-naming phase is normal after official name changes.
KuGompo City (formerly East London)
East London is one of the Eastern Cape’s most important coastal gateways.
Highlights for travellers include:
- Nahoon and Gonubie beaches
- Access to the Wild Coast
- East London Museum and the famous coelacanth
- Popular stop on Wild Coast road trips
Expect the name KuGompo City to increasingly appear in travel documents and maps from 2026 onwards.
Robert Sobukwe Town (formerly Graaff-Reinet)
Graaff-Reinet is a cornerstone Karoo destination and one of South Africa's most loved heritage towns.
Key attractions:
- Valley of Desolation
- Camdeboo National Park
- Historic Cape Dutch architecture
- Major stop on Garden Route–Karoo itineraries
The new name Robert Sobukwe honours the anti-apartheid leader and will gradually replace the historic town name in official usage.
Additional road trip updates
The Gazette also includes new names for key mountain passes:
- Barkly Pass (R58) > Mbombo Pass
- Kraai River Pass (R58) > Tyumbu Pass
These updates are particularly relevant for self-drive travellers exploring the Eastern Cape Highlands.
Practical advice for travellers
When planning trips in South Africa from 2026 onward:
- Use both old and new names when searching or booking
- Expect mixed naming across maps and booking sites
- Update saved GPS locations if travelling regularly
- Tour operators should begin updating itineraries and marketing material
Bottom line
The renaming of East London to KuGompo City and Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town is now official following publication in the Government Gazette on 06 February 2026. Travellers won’t experience disruption, but the new names will increasingly appear across maps, booking platforms and travel documents in the coming years.
Subscribe for updates:
Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment