After 15 years of fussing and fighting over what to do with Grahamstown’s “offensive” colonial name, a replacement has finally been officially proposed.
On Thursday night, more than 100 people at an Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee (ECGNC) meeting in Fingo Village unanimously decided that the city – named after notorious English army colonel John Graham – be renamed after local Xhosa hero Makhanda instead.
Although the name has been officially proposed, ECGNC executive member Zukile Jodwana told the crowd at the BB Zondani recreational hall that opponents still had one more chance to object in writing.
Unlike previous meetings which were largely divided on racial lines, none of the vocal objectors over the years made it to Thursday night’s meeting and the name Makhanda was effortlessly chosen from the two public proposals the ECGNC received.
Other suggestions included Nxele – left handed, which is believed to have been Makhanda’s nickname – and Rhini.
After some discussion from the floor, the name Rhini was decided against as it reminded people of the apartheid era.
Endorsing the name Makhanda, local ANC councillor Professor Julia Wells called on all residents to embrace the change and turn a new page in the history of Grahamstown.
Wells, who is an historian, headed the local Makana Municipality name change committee for years and was deeply involved in widespread discussions around what to do with the name Grahamstown.
She said the drawn-out name change issue had divided the town and district on racial lines.
“Only the white part of town wanted to keep the name Grahamstown. Everywhere else, all over Makana, no one wanted Grahamstown.”
Speaking after Wells in support of the name Makhanda, pensioner Misile Nondzube said he opposed keeping Grahamstown as it symbolised a history of continued atrocities.
He said the name Rhini evoked similar bad memories as Graham for most residents.
Jodwana said although a lot of research had already been done by the ECGNC and the eight district municipal name change committees, more work still had to be done before they were officially approved and gazetted.
ECGNC research committee head Mlawu Tyatyeka downplayed claims that changing names was a waste of money and a futile attempt to erase history saying they had worked to guidelines provided by the international community which has also grappled with similar issues.
“This is not (just) a programme of the Eastern Cape or South Africa, it is a programme throughout the world. How can you name a place after a person who was oppressing people?”
According to Tyatyeka, history showed that Graham committed atrocities that included making a huge contribution to “obliterating” the Xhosa inhabitants of the area and destroying their crops.
Settler City may be renamed Makhanda
On Thursday night, more than 100 people at an Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee (ECGNC) meeting in Fingo Village unanimously decided that the city – named after notorious English army colonel John Graham – be renamed after local Xhosa hero Makhanda instead.
Although the name has been officially proposed, ECGNC executive member Zukile Jodwana told the crowd at the BB Zondani recreational hall that opponents still had one more chance to object in writing.
Unlike previous meetings which were largely divided on racial lines, none of the vocal objectors over the years made it to Thursday night’s meeting and the name Makhanda was effortlessly chosen from the two public proposals the ECGNC received.
Other suggestions included Nxele – left handed, which is believed to have been Makhanda’s nickname – and Rhini.
After some discussion from the floor, the name Rhini was decided against as it reminded people of the apartheid era.
Endorsing the name Makhanda, local ANC councillor Professor Julia Wells called on all residents to embrace the change and turn a new page in the history of Grahamstown.
Wells, who is an historian, headed the local Makana Municipality name change committee for years and was deeply involved in widespread discussions around what to do with the name Grahamstown.
She said the drawn-out name change issue had divided the town and district on racial lines.
“Only the white part of town wanted to keep the name Grahamstown. Everywhere else, all over Makana, no one wanted Grahamstown.”
Speaking after Wells in support of the name Makhanda, pensioner Misile Nondzube said he opposed keeping Grahamstown as it symbolised a history of continued atrocities.
He said the name Rhini evoked similar bad memories as Graham for most residents.
Jodwana said although a lot of research had already been done by the ECGNC and the eight district municipal name change committees, more work still had to be done before they were officially approved and gazetted.
ECGNC research committee head Mlawu Tyatyeka downplayed claims that changing names was a waste of money and a futile attempt to erase history saying they had worked to guidelines provided by the international community which has also grappled with similar issues.
“This is not (just) a programme of the Eastern Cape or South Africa, it is a programme throughout the world. How can you name a place after a person who was oppressing people?”
According to Tyatyeka, history showed that Graham committed atrocities that included making a huge contribution to “obliterating” the Xhosa inhabitants of the area and destroying their crops.
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