By Zuko Komisa

- Three historic Eastern Cape towns Lady Grey, Herschel, and Sterkspruit are being considered for official name changes.
- The proposed new names reflect local African leaders, alongside an alternative proposal to rename Sterkspruit after anti-apartheid activist Mapetla Mohapi.
- The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) has initiated stakeholder meetings to consider the applications.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) is reviewing formal applications to rename three long-standing towns in the province:
Lady Grey, Herschel, and Sterkspruit.
The committee held a public consultation with key stakeholders last week to discuss the proposed changes.
Under the current proposals, Lady Grey would be renamed Inkosi Makhobeni, while Herschel would become Inkosi Lihlongo. Sterkspruit has two competing proposals: Inkosi Mpangazi and Mapetla Mohapi, the latter honouring the prominent Black Consciousness movement activist.
Outlining the current administrative process regarding the proposals, the ECPGNC confirmed:
“The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee is currently considering applications to rename the towns and invited stakeholders to a meeting last week.”
The towns carry significant history dating back to the 19th century.
Lady Grey was established on farm land acquired by the Dutch Reformed Church in 1857 before becoming a municipality in 1893, named after Eliza Lucy Grey, wife of Cape Colony Governor Sir George Grey.
Herschel was founded in 1879 and named in honour of Sir John Herschel, the renowned astronomer who conducted work in the region.