Eastern Cape residents have until July 24 to object to the changing of names for several towns, rivers, dams and geographical features.
The proposed changes include Queenstown being renamed Komani, Elliot Khowa and Lady Frere Cacadu.
In an advertisement published yesterday, the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture called on communities to submit their views on the proposed changes.
“Members of the public are hereby notified of an invite to comment on the outcomes of public hearings on standardisation of geographical names conducted by the Eastern Cape provincial geographical names committee,” the advertisement reads.
Other name changes suggested include Mount Frere to kwaBhaca and Mount Ayliff to MaXesibeni.
The Daily Dispatch reported last year that other suggestions submitted to the ministry of arts and culture included the spelling of Komgha to be changed to Qumrha and that of Nahoon river and dam to Nxarhuni.
However, none of the geographic areas within Buffalo City Metro have been considered for change as there were concerns about the quality of evidence submitted.
This year Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa officially gazetted the changes of Port of Coega to Port of Ngqurha, Toise River to Toyise, Komgha to Qumrha, Xora to Xhorha, Toleni to Tholeni, Nqeleni to Ngqeleni, and others.
Eastern Cape geographical names committee chairman Samkelo Janda said it was important for the public to participate in the process.
“This is the government’s way of giving the communities an opportunity to share their knowledge about these geographic areas.”
Janda said after the committee received input from the public, they would make recommendations to the national committee. “Our national arm in turn recommends the names to the minister of arts and culture. The minister will then gazette the names based on all the evidence.”
Political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni, who has submitted several name change suggestions, said people were welcome to give their input on the names he has recommended.
“Through the 25 years of research I have done on the history of amaXesibe and Mount Ayliff, I came across some of this information.” — siphem@dispatch.co.za
Place naming input deadline soon
The proposed changes include Queenstown being renamed Komani, Elliot Khowa and Lady Frere Cacadu.
In an advertisement published yesterday, the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture called on communities to submit their views on the proposed changes.
“Members of the public are hereby notified of an invite to comment on the outcomes of public hearings on standardisation of geographical names conducted by the Eastern Cape provincial geographical names committee,” the advertisement reads.
Other name changes suggested include Mount Frere to kwaBhaca and Mount Ayliff to MaXesibeni.
The Daily Dispatch reported last year that other suggestions submitted to the ministry of arts and culture included the spelling of Komgha to be changed to Qumrha and that of Nahoon river and dam to Nxarhuni.
However, none of the geographic areas within Buffalo City Metro have been considered for change as there were concerns about the quality of evidence submitted.
This year Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa officially gazetted the changes of Port of Coega to Port of Ngqurha, Toise River to Toyise, Komgha to Qumrha, Xora to Xhorha, Toleni to Tholeni, Nqeleni to Ngqeleni, and others.
Eastern Cape geographical names committee chairman Samkelo Janda said it was important for the public to participate in the process.
“This is the government’s way of giving the communities an opportunity to share their knowledge about these geographic areas.”
Janda said after the committee received input from the public, they would make recommendations to the national committee. “Our national arm in turn recommends the names to the minister of arts and culture. The minister will then gazette the names based on all the evidence.”
Political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni, who has submitted several name change suggestions, said people were welcome to give their input on the names he has recommended.
“Through the 25 years of research I have done on the history of amaXesibe and Mount Ayliff, I came across some of this information.” — siphem@dispatch.co.za
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