The cementing of Makhanda as the new name for Grahamstown is the 35th town name change in the post-democratic dispensation and the ninth in the Eastern Cape.
The Makhanda namechange process has not been without controversy, however, with lobby group Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) threatening court action – but arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa has said his decision is final.
KGG maintained it had received “thousands” of objections while Mthethwa’s office said the total was about 332.
The ultimate determination that was made on Tuesday was but one example of the progress his ministry has made in its mandate and commitment to deepen the transformation of the heritage landscape, Mthethwa said.
“Phenomenal strides have been made in the transformation of the heritage landscape,” the minister said on Friday.
“During these [name change] processes, we continue to encounter resistance to change which does not surprise us because as a people we subscribe to different ideological orientations,” he said.
KGG spokesperson advocate Jock McConnachie said his group was “by no means honouring Colonel John Graham – the founder of the town – or his deeds”.
Other name changes in the province include Cacadu (formerly Lady Frere), KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) and Dikeni (formerly Alice).