South African city of Port Elizabeth will from now be referred to as Gqeberha — derived from the Xhosa language.
South Africa’s Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced the name change Wednesday, along with other changes to names of towns and public infrastructure.
In a statement Thursday, Mthethwa said: “There was a need for the name changes as this is part of a Government Programme to transform South Africa’s Heritage landscape. The names of places we live in reflect the identity and cultural heritage of the people of South Africa.”
Reacting to concerns that Gqeberha was difficult to pronounce, Monyetsane said: “The beauty of education will solve that. If you allow yourself to learn while being tolerant and respectful — no name should be impossible to say.”
The move comes at the backdrop of Ghana’s decision to scrap formal school uniforms to the nationally accepted african patterned outfits.
The moves have been welcomed by many who say the heritage of Africans has been eroded by colonization and western culture.
