# Name Changes

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/name-changes/
- Published: 2025-02-06T10:12:33+02:00
- Author: dearSA

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![The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture wants to make some significant changes
to the laws and processes followed when changing geographical names in South Africa](
https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/06095648/name-change-
council.jpg "name change council")

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comments individually delivered (closed 25 March, 2025)

### The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture wants to make significant changes to the laws and processes followed when altering geographical names in SA.

including formalising new provincial committees and setting up a structured appeals
process.

The Minister asked the public to provide comments.

[ view comments, documents and videos](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/name-changes/summary)

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### Big changes coming for name changes in South Africa

[_BusinessTech —_](https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/808250/big-changes-coming-for-name-changes-in-south-africa/)
The department has gazetted notice of a slew of public consultations to take place
in February and March 2025, looking for feedback on draft changes to the laws governing
geographical name changes in the country.

The consultations will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the draft 
South African Geographical Names Council Amendment Bill, which will be further processed
and tabled before parliament once the feedback is concluded.

The country has seen over 1,500 name changes processed since the council was established,
including major towns and cities. Some more recent examples include the renaming
of Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha in 2021, and a shift away from iconic names like Ladysmith
to uMnambithi in 2024.

However, whenever these name changes occur, there is often a huge public outcry 
and allegations of a lack of consultation.

Consultation on the draft bill will start taking place from 4 February and run through
to 25 March as follows:

    - Limpopo – February 4
    - Mpumalanga – February 10
    - Northern Cape – February 17
    - KwaZulu-Natal – February 28
    - Western Cape – March 4
    - Eastern Cape – March 7
    - North-West – March 11
    - Free State – March 18
    - Gauteng – March 25

[View more info ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/name-changes/summary)