Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa back in September 2020 recommended an audit of offensive names, symbols and structures, such as statues, street names, public spaces, etc.
Mthethwa said it was unacceptable that South Africa’s Black majority population is still a cultural minority when it comes to apartheid and colonial symbols still dominating the landscape.
Name changes in South Africa
It was a slow process, spanning roughly two years. Not only was it a legal challenge, but residents were also given an opportunity to oppose any of the proposed changes.
The new name changes included Port Elizabeth, the PE International airport, and several other towns, such as Berlin, Uitenhage, and King Williams Town. The changes have now been gazetted.