South Africa officially renames East London and Graaff-Reinet: What travellers need to know

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.

 

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Kruger National Park to keep its iconic name - no change confirmed by government!

The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has confirmed that there has been no official amendment or approval to change the name of the Kruger National Park. According to the Department, no notice has been published in the Government Gazette under Section 20 of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, and the park therefore remains legally and officially the Kruger National Park.

“There is nothing in progress to change the name of the Kruger National Park, and I certainly have no intention of approving any request,” said Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dr Dion George.

Under the Protected Areas Act, only the Minister has the legal authority to assign or amend the name of a national park. Schedule 2 of the Act lists all official national parks, with Kruger National Park appearing under Item 11. Any future proposal to alter this name would have to follow a formal legislative process, which includes public consultation and official publication in the Government Gazette - a process that has not been initiated.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has also urged the public, media outlets, and social platforms to avoid spreading unverified claims about a potential name change. False information not only undermines public confidence but also distracts from the vital work of protecting South Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems. Citizens are encouraged to rely solely on official government communications for accurate updates.

About Kruger National Park
Established in 1926, Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and most iconic wildlife sanctuaries, stretching across nearly 20,000 km² of pristine bushveld in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Home to the Big Five, over 500 bird species, and an extraordinary range of biodiversity, the park attracts millions of visitors each year. Beyond its natural heritage, Kruger National Park is a cornerstone of South Africa’s tourism economy and a global symbol of wildlife conservation.

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South Africa: Name changes for 2 more towns in the Eastern Cape!

The South African Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has gazetted new name changes for South Africa. According to Government Gazette Vol. 693 No. 48191 (10 March 2023), former Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa officially approved the following geographical names, in terms of Section 10 (2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No 118 of 1998). The town of Fort Beaufort, located in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Amathole District Municipality has been renamed to KwaMaqoma, while the town of Sommerset East in the Blue Crane Local Municipality in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality has become KwaNojoli and the village of Brooksnek in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality is now called Ben Mbizweni. The two towns and the village are located in the Eastern Cape.

South Africa: New name changes for towns in the Eastern Cape & KwaZulu-Natal!

South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has officially announced name changes for two towns and two villages as well as the registration of new names of a village, a road section, two human settlements, a township and two suburbs. The Minister further approved the correction of spelling for a river. The changes, which were gazetted on 26 August 2022, impact the Amathole District Municipality (10) and the Chris Hani District Municipality (1) in the Eastern Cape as well as the uMzinyathi District Municipality (1) in KwaZulu-Natal. The name changes are officially approved in terms of Section 10 (2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No 118 of 1998).

Town: Cradock > Nxuba (Eastern Cape)
Town: Morgan Bay > Gxarha (Eastern Cape)
Amalgamation of villages: Mooiplaas > Khwenxurha (Eastern Cape)

Click here (pdf) to download Government Gazette No. 46792 (26 August 2022), which includes the full list of name changes as approved by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.

South Africa has renamed 17 locations in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga!

South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has officially announced a number of name changes for a town, a village, two areas as well as 13 human settlements in the Eastern Cape and in Mpumalanga. The name changes are officially approved in terms of Section 10 (2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No 118 of 1998).

• Town: Mount Fletcher > Tlokoeng (Eastern Cape)
• Village: St Augustine > Mahlubini (Eastern Cape)
• Area: Driehoek > Uhlelo (Mpumalanga)
• Area: Donkerhoek > eNtababusuku (Mpumalanga)
• Settlement: Allmansdrift > Maphanga (Mpumalanga)
  

Click here (pdf) to download Government Gazette No. 46049 (16 March 2022), which includes the full list of name changes as approved by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.

South Africa renames a town in the Free State after Winne Mandela!

South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has approved another name change. According to Government Gazette No. 44943 (06 August 2021) the town of Brandfort in the Free State will be renamed after South African anti-apartheid activist and politician Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (26 September 1936 – 02 April 2018). However, is not clear if the name chane will take immediate effect.

The second wife of Nelson Mandela was banished from Soweto to Brandfort by the apartheid regime in May 1977. She lived at house number 802 in the Black township in Brandfort.
Brandfort is a small agricultural town in central Free State, about 60 km northeast of Bloemfontein. 

South Africa: Amsterdam in Mpumalanga has been renamed!

South Africa's Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has not only approved the renaming of Cape Town's suburb Zonnebloem back to District Six, but also the name change of Amsterdam in Mpumalanga to eMvelo. The town is located in the Mkhondo Local Municipality, which forms part of the Gert Sibande District Municipality in the south-eastern corner of Mpumalanga. eMvelo was established as a Scottish settlement in 1868 and was proclaimed a town in 1881. The town's first name was Roburnia (after Scottish Poet Robert Burns). One year later, in 1882, Roburnia was renamed to Amsterdam. 

Eastern Cape: Grahamstown renamed to Makhanda!

Grahamstown in South Africa's Eastern Cape, well known for largest arts festival on the African continent, the annual National Arts Festival (NAF), has its name changed. The new name of the town, which was founded in 1812 as a military outpost, is Makhanda (ka Nxele?).


Grahamstown/Makhanda is the largest town in the Makana Local Municipality, which forms part of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality. "Makhanda" (or "Makana") was a Xhosa warrior, war doctor, prophet and philosopher who, during the Xhosa Wars in South Africa, led an attack against the British garrison at Grahamstown in 1819.

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Cape Town: Concert Boulevard renamed Joe Marks Boulevard!

The City of Cape Town has renamed Concert Boulevard in Retreat after South African struggle activist Joe Marks (Joseph Johannes Marks (1936-2011)). Mayor Patricia de Lille unveiled Joe Marks Boulevard along with family members in honour of his contribution to building a free and democratic society earlier today (22 April 2015).

Cape Town set to rename Table Bay Boulevard after F.W. de Klerk!

Cape Town's city council has voted to rename Table Bay Boulevard after South Africa's last white head of state, Frederik Willem de Klerk. F.W. de Klerk was the seventh and last head of state of South Africa (September 1989 to May 1994) under the apartheid era. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with Nelson Mandela for his role in the ending of apartheid. The proposal to rename a 5km section of the Table Bay Boulevard after F.W. de Klerk was put forward by a group of 27 signatories, including DA leader Helen Zille and fellow Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Cape Town: Vanguard Drive renamed Jakes Gerwel Drive!

The City of Cape Town has renamed Vanguard Drive, a major arterial road passing through the Cape Flats, Jakes Gerwel Drive. Professor Jakes Gerwel (18 January 1946 – 28 November 2012) was a South African academic and anti-apartheid activist. He served as Director-General of the Presidency when Nelson Mandela was in office. Gerwel also chaired the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

Limpopo (South Africa): Makhodo renamed Louis Trichard again!

After a long and controversial name changing process the town of Makhodo in Limpopo is now named Louis Trichard again. Louis Trichardt is located at the foot of the Soutpansberg mountain range about 450km from Johannesburg (N1) and just about an one hours drive along the N1 from the border to Zimbabwe at Beitbridge.

Namibia renames regions & towns

update (10 April 2014): According to a recent report in The Namibian (online edition, 08 April 2014), the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has accepted the name change from Lüderitz to !Nami#Nus, despite an ongoing dispute over the name of the southern harbour town. The ECN placed a government gazette notification in daily newspapers on 07 April 2014 in Namibia, in which they referred to !Nami#Nus instead of Lüderitz. The commission told the newspaper that it refers to the information it gathered from the gazetted information from the Fourth Delimitation Commission.

update (10 Sept 2013): The Lüderitz renaming saga continues - Namibia's president Hifikepunye Pohamba on Friday (06 Sept 2013) said that he had approved the recent renaming of Lüderitz to !Nami#Nus on recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission.

update (29 Aug 2013): According to various media reports, Namibia's Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development Charles Namoloh is insisting that the town name of Lüderitz has been changed despite the comments made by Shangala.

update (26 Aug 2013): According to Hitradio, a German-Namibian radio station in Namibia, the name of Lüderitz will not be changed. The Chairman of the Law Reform and Development Commission, Mr. Shanghala, told the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA) that only the constituency (a subdivision of a Namibian region) will be renamed !Nami=Nüs. We'll keep you posted!

The President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, yesterday revealed that the Caprivi Region will now be called Zambezi Region, while the Karas Region has been renamed to !Karas Region and that the Kavango Region will be divided into Kavango East and Kavango West. According to South Africa's newspaper Business Day (online edition), Schuckmannsburg in the Zambezi Region (!) was changed back to its original Lohonono and the coastal town of Lüderitz in the !Karas Region //Karas Region (!) is now called !Nami=Nüs, which means "embrace" in local Khoekhoegowab, a Khoisan language.

Johannesburg: R24 now named after Albertina Sisulu

update (30 Oct 2013): Well, the City of Johannesburg announced the change of the name of the R24 in July 2013, but it took them until 20 Oct 2013 to actually rename the road to Albertina Sisulu Road.

The City of Johannesburg has finally changed the name of the R24, which stretches over 45km from OR Tambo International Airport in the east to the intersection with Corlett Avenue (Roodepoort) in the west, to Albertina Sisulu Road. At least 17 streets in Johannesburg are affected by the name change, including Allum Ext, Broadway Ext, Kitchener Avenue, Buzuidenhout Avenue, Market Street, Main Road, Central Road, Paarlshoop Street, Deville Street, Newclare Road, Maraisburg Road, 10th Road, Lola Street, Kathleen Street, Hamberg Road, Hoofd Street and Main Reef Road. The freeway section of the route was already renamed the Abertina Sisulu Freeway in time for the 2010 World Cup.


View Johannesburg: R24 becomes Albertina Sisulu Road in a larger map

Albertina Sisulu (1918 - 2011), also known as "Mother of the Nation", was a political activist and nurse and one of the most important leaders of anti-Apartheid resistance in South Africa. She was married to fellow activist, the late Walter Sisulu (1912-2003).

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Cape Town renamed six streets

Travellers, update your Cape Town city maps. The city yesterday (21 March 2013, Human Rights Day) officially renamed six streets and one civic center after South African struggle icons and a South African poet.

• Coen Steytler Avenue is now Walter Sisulu Avenue
• Hendrik Verwoerd Drive is now  Uys Krige Drive
• Modderdam Road is now Robert Sobukwe Road
• Lansdowne Road (between Turfhall and Palmyra roads) is now Imam Haron Road
• Lansdowne road (between Wetton and Swartklip roads) is now Japhta K Masemola Road
• Lansdowne Road (between Swartklip and Baden Powell roads) is now Govan Mbeki Road
• Athlone Civic Centre is now Dulcie September Civic Centre

View New street names in Cape Town in a larger map

South Africa: Cape Town to rename major roads

update (21 Sept 2012): The renaming of the "NY1" (Native Yard) in Gugulethu on 24 Sept 2012 will mark the start of the renaming campaign in Cape Town. The new name of the NY1 will be Steve Biko Drive. [src.]

update (10 Sept 2012): The Wittebome Civic Centre will become to Wynberg Civic Centre and Athlone Civic Centre will be named Dulcie September Civic Centre. Cape Town's naming committee also agreed not to rename Andries Pretorius Street in Somerset West, First Road, Jakkalsvlei Road, Nico Malan Street, Port Road, Selwyn Road, Tulbagh Road and Vanguard Drive.

update: According to a tweet from @ewnreporter (Eyewitness News), the City of Cape Town says it hopes to have the six streets renamed by August 2013.

Cape Town's naming committee just announced that some of the city's major roads will be renamed after South Africa's most-celebrated liberation heroes, and that other roads and city-owned buildings will be named after national and Cape Town-born anti-apartheid activists.

The name changes include:

• the NY1 in Gugulethu becomes Steve Biko Drive
• the Coen Steytler Avenue will be changed to Walter Sisulu Avenue
• the Hendrik Verwoerd Drive will become Uys Krige Drive
• Modderdam Road will be named after Robert Sobukwe 
• Lansdowne Road will be divided into four sections, all with different names. The section between Wetton Road and Turfhall Road remains Lansdowne Road, while the three other parts will be named after Govan Mbeki, Imam Haron and Jeff Masemola
• the footbridge between Bonteheuwel and Langa will be named Bonte-Langa footbridge

The naming committee agreed not to rename DF Malan, Jan Smuts, Long Street, Jip de Jager and Willie van Schoor Drive.

Previous name changes already included:

• Oswald Pirow Street > Chris Barnard Street
• Eastern Boulevard > Nelson Mandela Boulevard
• concourse between Artscape theatre and Civic Centre > Albert Luthuli concourse
• Western Boulevard > Helen Suzman Boulevard
• the square at the intersection of Castle Street and St Georges Mall got named after the late Khoisan descendant, Krotoa van Meerhoff. 

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