The town of Harrismith, a vital logistics hub along South Africa’s N3 corridor, is once again at the centre of a national debate on geographical name changes. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) recently raised the issue in Parliament, urging the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to reconsider names such as Harrismith and Smithfield, arguing that they reflect painful colonial legacies.
ATM Member of Parliament Vuyolwethu Zungula formally questioned Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, asking whether the department would support the renaming of towns named after colonial figures associated with the historical oppression of indigenous people.
Zungula cited the impact on communities such as the AmaXhosa Kingdom, stating that some place names remain “a painful reminder” of past injustices.
Harrismith, founded in 1849 and named after then-Cape Governor Sir Harry Smith, is among the towns referenced. According to ATM, the continued use of names linked to figures involved in the suppression and killing of indigenous leaders undermines efforts toward genuine reconciliation.
This is not the first time a name change has been proposed for Harrismith. In both 2005 and again during 2014/15, the name “Intabazwe” was put forward, but the proposals were ultimately unsuccessful due to a lack of sufficient public support.
In response, Minister McKenzie clarified that the department does not initiate name changes. Instead, the process must begin at the community level.
Furthermore, the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), operating under Act 118 of 1998, provides a structured, legal framework for such changes. Proposals must be submitted through the Provincial Geographical Names Council (PGNC), which is required to conduct public consultations in affected areas. Only once the process has followed all due steps—including verification of historical context, community backing, and technical compliance—can the Minister consider and gazette the new name.
McKenzie also reminded Parliament that the renaming of municipalities and streets falls under different authorities. Municipalities are handled by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), while street name changes fall under local municipal councils. All processes are governed by public participation and legislative guidelines, including compliance with the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
The renewed debate comes amid growing calls across South Africa to transform place names to better reflect the country’s diverse heritage. In recent years, several towns have undergone official name changes:
- uMnambithi (formerly Ladysmith) – Gazetted in March 2024
- Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) – February 2021
- Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) – February 2021
- Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) – 2021
- Komani (formerly Queenstown) – 2016
- Maletswai (formerly Aliwal North) – 2015
While name changes aim to advance reconciliation and cultural recognition, they often spark public debate and political disagreement. Critics argue that some changes are pushed through without adequate community engagement and at unnessasary costs to TAX payers, while supporters say such steps are long overdue.
To address procedural weaknesses, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has introduced the SAGNC Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen public participation and introduce a formal appeals process for contested decisions.
Despite its origins, Harrismith today plays a key economic role in the country. It is a major stopover along the N3, hosts Africa’s largest truck stop—Highway Junction—and is home to the Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone (MAP SEZ), which aims to attract investment in sectors like manufacturing, ICT, pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing.
As the renaming debate continues, the balance between preserving history, a key element of in democratic counrty and fostering inclusive identity needs to remains central to the national transformation agenda.
Have your say. What are your thoughts on the proposed name change? Share your views in the comments below.
One Response
A,waste of time and money