"Gqeberha Is Beautiful": Mzansi Reacts to Port Elizabeth's New Name

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:52 PM by Marilynn Manuel

- South Africans have shared their reactions to the many name place name changes around the country

- Gqeberha - the new name of Port Elizabeth seems to be a favourite as many locals have expressed their liking for it

- While a few complained that it would be difficult to pronounce others thought it would easily grow on South Africans

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Earlier today it was announced that varies South African places would be undergoing name changes. While many of the new names were revealed Gqeberha seems to be the countries favourite.

Many South African have headed online to share their opinion on Port Elizabeth's new name. While some that it is very difficult to pronounce, others think that it is very beautiful and suitable for the area.

Briefly.co.za takes a look at some of the varies tweets about the Gqeberha. You can read some of them below:

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@MonwabisiKete said:

"Gqeberha is beautiful."

@MaS1banda said:

"If amaXhosa can say 'Port Elizabeth' with ease, you, too, can learn to say Gqeberha. I didn't think this needed to be said, but I see it does. This tweet isn't (just) about how anyone pronounces Gqeberha…Much like renaming any place isn't just about changing a name."

@clivesibbs said:

"Abelunguh are complaining about pronouncing #Gqeberha !!! Ask us how we have been pronouncing Wligeheuwel & Oudtshoorn"

@MakaLino_S

"We honestly not gonna be teaching white people to pronounce Gqeberha. I still struggle with Vanderbijlpark myself."

"Gqeberha Is Beautiful": Mzansi Reacts to Port Elizabeth's New Name — A young lady sits on a bench in what used to be Port Elizabeth. Image: @Ongezwa_7
Source: Twitter

@vlok_andre

"Tannie, why are you upset about the click in "Gqeberha"? It's the same sound you make just before you chase your husband or children out of the kitchen. It'll be ok."

@SineNgcayisa

"Any way, Gqebera/Gqeberha is the Xhosa word for the Baakens River as well as the Xhosa name for Walmer Township which is one of the oldest townships in PE. Having an entire city named after a township is a big W to me."

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@Pol_Sec_Analyst

"Some of the people claiming that they will never be able to pronounce 'Gqeberha' will without provocation announce that Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is the greatest musical composer of all time."

@mrlungisa

"Official now the is no longer a colonial city called Port Elizabeth our city is called Gqeberha. No area called Uitenhage now is Kariega. Thanks Minister Mthethwa siyabulela."

@JoshDickinsonSA

So Port Elizabeth has officially changed its name to Gqeberha.Total waste of money because everyone from PE will still call it PE. But hey, our man Cyril and his government are still doing such a great job, right?

Briefly.co.za earlier reported that the South African Government has officially approved and gazetted 13 name changes from towns to airports. Port Elizabeth is the big one with the Friendly City's name being changed to Gqeberha.

Reports say that the name change process was lengthy and lasted around two years. At this time, residents were given the opportunity to challenge the name changes that were proposed. Back in 2019, PE residents were not impressed by the possible name change.