summary

Each province in the country will be mandated to establish a Provincial Geographical Names Committee, which will be responsible with advising authorities and making recommendations for name changes.

Other draft amendments set out administrative rules for these committees, such as having 10-15 people drawn from specific areas of expertise, as well as aligning their terms with the national council, being 5 years.

The provincial committees will have to ensure that all proposals and recommendations go through adequate consultation and that local communities are fully informed.

Research is also specifically mentioned as a key function.

The Council must, after having considered a geographical name change application and arrived at a recommendation, publish these in the Government Gazette and allow the public to comment on the recommended name change.

The Council must also conduct public hearings in respect of any change.

The draft laws establish a formal appeals process, which will set up an Appeals Tribunal for name changes.

This tribunal must have three to five independent members with the relevant expertise.

The appeals process will have to be handled within three months of appeals being lodged.