By Bulelwa Hoala
- East London in the Eastern Cape is set to be officially renamed KuGompo City after Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie approved 21 geographical name changes.
- The new name, KuGompo, is rooted in Xhosa heritage, referring to the spiritually significant Cove Rock area believed to be home to ancestral spirits.
- Once the changes are gazetted in the coming weeks, the new names will become legally recognised, including Graaff-Reinet becoming Robert Sobukwe Town.
The city of East London in the Eastern Cape is set to be renamed to KuGompo City.
According to the Daily Dispatch, this follows Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s approval of 21 geographical name changes.
The historic town of Graaff-Reinet is also pitted to become Robert Sobukwe Town.
IOL reports that the approved names have been signed off by McKenzie and are expected to be gazetted in the coming weeks.
Once gazetted, the new names become legally recognised.
South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) chairperson Johnny Mohlala confirmed the changes on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Addressing potential pushback, Mohlala clarified the legal standing of the process and said, “Any objection raised before a name is gazetted is considered premature and the act does not require us to deal with petitions.”
The Significance of KuGompo
The Daily Maverick notes that KuGompo is a Xhosa name for the area known as Cove Rock near East London.
It is a deeply spiritual site where it is believed abantu bomlambo (ancestral spirits) live in the water beneath the rock.
The term ‘Gompo’ also mimics the roaring sound of waves crashing into the shore.
Full List of Approved Changes
According to The Herald, the following name changes have been approved for the Eastern Cape:
- East London – KuGompo City
- Graaff-Reinet – Robert Sobukwe Town
- Aberdeen – Xamdeboo
- Adendorp – KwaMseki Bishop Limba
- Nieu-Bethesda – Kwa Noheleni
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