Graaff-Reinet’s name may still change because process has ‘not been finalised’

GRAAF-REINETT, SOUTH AFRICA - 31 July 2010: A view over the Camdeboo National Park in Graaff-Reinet. Graaff-Reinet was appointed as Rapport and Kwêla's town of year for 2010. Surrounded by the Camdeboo National Park, Graaff-Reinet, the heart of the Great Karoo Place of Thirst is a boundless and mysterious area covered by vast sheep and game farms, where broad plains roll away to distant koppies and multilayered mountains. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Nasief Manie)

By Estelle Ellis

11 Aug 2024

The SA Geographical Names Council did not recommend that the historical town’s name become Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, but the Eastern Cape’s names committee says the process is continuing.

Although some Graaff-Reinet residents and those of surrounding Karoo towns celebrated media reports that their names will not change, Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee chairperson Christian Martin said the process had not been finalised yet.

The proposed name for Graaff-Reinet is Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe or Fred Hufkie – both anti-apartheid activists with strong ties to the town – and the other changes in the province are Adendorp to Kwa Mseki Bishop Limba, Aberdeen to Camdeboo and Nieu-Bethesda to Kwa Noheleni.

Martin said in an interview that he wants to make it clear that it is not his idea to change geographical names. “I don’t sit and think which name must be changed today.”

For the past year the heavily contested application to change Graaff-Reinet’s name has been playing out in public meetings. The Sobukwe family gave their permission for his name to be used, but the Hufkie family withdrew their support, given the controversy.

I always say if you name it, you claim and you own it. That is what this is about.

Martin has been accused of being biased in favour of the change, but he said this was based on a comment he had made that was taken out of context.

“I want to go back to where the idea originated to change place names. In the 1950s, the United Nations gave a mandate to change names. This includes duplications.

“Aberdeen, for example – I think there are 30 Aberdeens in different countries. There is even one in Zimbabwe. If we take Aberdeen, for example, that will be a reason for us to change it.

Read more: Highlighting the compelling case for renaming Graaff-Reinet to Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe

“Of course, we look at the historical context as well. At the time of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu said that there wasn’t enough money to compensate those who suffered and they must be honoured by giving their names to towns.

“Then there is, of course, the whole question of the historical background of an area. One does look at restorative justice and restoration, redress.

“And then, what is very important is to look at the wider South African context. We have to acknowledge that we have a bad history in South Africa. We must look at the conquered and the conqueror. That is the South African context, whether you like it or not. Things were won over the barrel of a gun. I always say if you name it, you claim and you own it. That is what this is about.

“When we talk about restorative justice, my question is: how do we let everyone feel that it is South African? Some names must remain. We are not here to change names for the sake of changing [them]. So we look at shared history, shared identity, shared culture,” Martin said.

Many people who are against name changes cite money being wasted that could be better spent, but Martin said this is disingenuous. “It is cheap to talk about this in the context of wasting money. You cannot measure dignity with money.”

He said a budget of about R1-million has been set aside to cover the costs of consulting on name changes.

“It is ironic that suddenly now everyone wants to be consulted. Nobody consulted with the Khoi and the San when they changed names. Nobody consulted in the old South Africa. It is because we want to consult through the Constitution. Now we do it and now we are being opposed.”

Martin also dismissed the argument that city or town names become a brand that is known among tourists, for example. “It is lazy thinking to tell me the economics of a town like Graaff-Reinet is built around the name. You must do the marketing and emotion in your new name,” he said.

The name change of the globally known historic town, the oldest in the Eastern Cape and the fourth-oldest in South Africa, remains so controversial that even the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, in which it is situated, refused to take sides.

“People want to protect their history, culture and language. We don’t want a shared history, culture and heritage,” Martin said.

Graaff-Reinet was named after Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Reinet, because the town was established when he was the governor of the Cape Colony. “You know now everyone is quick to tell me that Reinet was a Khoi woman. Nobody ever said anything about that before,” Martin said.

“I was involved 100% with the processes in Graaff-Reinet. I make sure that the process has been followed. But it will be the minister [of sport, arts and culture] who must announce. He decides that the name must change. That is when people can appeal and give their reasons to the minister.”

I am not just here to change names for the sake of it. I have a mandate and I am trying to do this in a balanced way.

Martin said the meetings that the names committee held in Graaff-Reinet were filled with “bush politics”.

“And they were very long. Those that have were lobbying the have-nots. They didn’t have anything to do with the name. People came with written notes to read. I was thinking, not to judge, but it looked like they were coached.”

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said the provincial names committee submitted a proposal to change the name Graaff-Reinet to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe to the South African Geographical Names Council on 14 May. The council’s meeting to discuss the proposed name change took place on 4 July.

But he added that the council took a resolution not to recommend the name change, together with the three other Eastern Cape name changes submitted.

A view of Graaff-Reinet from the the Camdeboo National Park on 31 July 2010. (Photo: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nasief Manie)

McKenzie said this was because applications were submitted with insufficient information; the consultation report submitted lacked information to convince the council that sufficient consultation was conducted on the name change; it transpired that there were petitions against the name change during the public hearings held in Graaff-Reinet; and there was not enough evidence submitted to show that the petitions and concerns of the concerned group or groups had been thoroughly addressed.

“The council therefore took a decision not to recommend this name change for the minister’s approval. The final report is still in the process of being circulated.”

Read more: Welcome back, Hanover Street, goodbye Keizersgracht, as Cape Town City Council votes for renaming

McKenzie said he was engaging with officials on a way forward and will make a determination at a later time.

Martin said the provincial names committee will address the council’s concerns.

“Conflict, I must tell you, is possible,” he added. “The other problem is that at the stakeholder meeting, people arrived already with boxes full of appeals and objections. They wanted to have our address to courier documents and we had done nothing yet.

“What must I inform them? I haven’t made a mistake. This is very political,” he said.

“Listen here, I am not just here to change names for the sake of it,” he repeated. “I have a mandate and I am trying to do this in a balanced way. I am ensuring the process is done. It is not me who wants to change names. If they welcome us [to public meetings] they tell us: ‘You can’t come change the names here.’” DM

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