"Who Decides?": 7 Rivers in KZN to Get New Names as Minister Approves 12 Name Changes, SA Reacts
- Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie approved 12 new geographical names in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal
- The approved names cover seven rivers, one mountain, two villages and two townships across the two provinces
- South Africans have one month from the Government Gazette publication date to lodge written objections
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Seven rivers in KwaZulu-Natal are set to receive official new names. Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie approved 12 geographical names across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, following a notice published in Government Gazette No. 55599 on 19 October 2026.
The approvals were made under section 10(2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act of 1998. They cover geographical features in the City of Tshwane in Gauteng and the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality within KwaZulu-Natal's UGu District Municipality.
New names for Gauteng and KZN
Two townships in the City of Tshwane were included in the approvals: Dinokeng View and Menoatlou.
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The remaining 10 names apply to features in KwaZulu-Natal. Seven rivers will carry new names: uLonjane, iKhangeza, uGodlogodlo, uButhongo, uBenyu, uSihlambo and eMaxhantini. A mountain called uSihlambweni and two villages, KwaShobashobane and uDlovunga, round out the KZN approvals.
Source: Getty Images
Public has 30 days to object
Anyone unhappy with a name the minister has approved can lodge a written objection within one month of the notice's publication in the Government Gazette. Objections may be directed to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at Sagnc@dsac.gov.za.
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South Africans had plenty to say after the announcement circulated on the page. Many questioned the priorities behind the renaming exercise.
Peter McLauchlan joked:
"Soon you will have to change the seasons of the years names."
Tubatsi Senyongnyong Malakwane asked plainly:
"Who is going to benefit in that project?"
Lyndy Bray wrote:
"Changing names of towns provinces rivers etc … achieves nothing for our country. Better to spend the time and money to fix our hospitals, electricity, water, our roads...etc."
Mkhanyisi Madlavana was puzzled by two similar-sounding entries on the list, asking:
"'Were these the names of people?"
Cobus Snyman wanted clarity on the process:
"Who decides on name changes and what the new name will be?"
More Briefly News stories on names
- South Africa gazettes 12 new geographic names in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, including Tshwane townships and KZN landmarks; one-month public objection period.
- An expat, Jasmin Hoffmann, says Cape Town’s only drawback is how long it takes to get there or leave, sparking mixed reactions from South Africans online.
- American woman in South Africa goes viral praising its smart ID system, hazard-light thank-yous and full-length bathroom stalls the US could learn from.
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Source: Briefly News
