By Zuko Komisa
Fort Beaufort has been renamed to KwaMaqoma and Somerset East KwaNojoli.
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has gazetted the new name changes for the Eastern Cape.
Fort Beaufort will now be referred to as KwaMaqoma, and Somerset East will now be referred to as KwaNojoli.
Maqoma was the most renowned Xhosa chief in South Africa’s 19th-century frontier wars.
The department is also changing the name of Brooksnek village in the province from Brooksnek to Ben Mbizweni in addition to the name adjustments for the towns.
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In accordance with the South African Geographical Names Council Act, names that have been formally recorded.
Over the years, Business tech reports that there have been other name changes which took place, including new names for Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), King Williamstown (Qonce) and Uitenhage (Kariega).
Eastern Cape places to get name changes:
— Constitution First 🇿🇦 (@Constitution_94) March 14, 2023
⚫️ Fort Beaufort (eBhofolo) will now be called KwaMaqoma,
⚫️ Somerset East will be known as KwaNojoli, and
⚫️Brooksnek (as you enter EC from Kokstad) as Ben Mbizweni.
Nathi Mthethwa left the publishing of gazette being done. pic.twitter.com/w3TQeLL34h
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