Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

Heritage and culture Media statements | Media statements

AfriForum sends lawyer’s letter to Minister to object to Graaff-Reinet name change

ByAfriForum 17/02/202617/02/2026

Soundbite: Alana Bailey (English)

Soundbite: Alana Bailey (Afrikaans)

AfriForum has sent a lawyer’s letter to Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, to object to the name change of Graaff-Reinet. This follows in response to the Minister’s notice in the Government Gazette of 6 February 2026 that the town will henceforth be called Robert Sobukwe Town. The South African Geographical Names Council Act 118 of 1998 provides for such objections to be lodged within 30 days of the publication of a name change.

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, the civil rights organisation’s objection is based, among other things, on the fact that the Eastern Cape Provincial Policy on Naming and Renaming of Geographical Features emphasises that the name changing of places of particular historical significance should only be considered in exceptional cases. According to AfriForum, in the case of Graaff-Reinet, which has had this name since its establishment 240 years ago, no such circumstances could be found. Contrary to the requirements of the policy, the change does not indicate that the necessary consideration has been given to the preservation of the town’s historical and cultural heritage.

In the letter, AfriForum refers to the study by Prof. Ronnie Donaldson, which established that 83,6% of the town’s residents are opposed to the name change. “Although it is claimed that the name change will improve social cohesion, it is achieving the very opposite, with growing local and national polarisation because of the name change. Residents even feel that the Minister and other relevant authorities are ignoring them,” Bailey says.

“The name change could cause incalculable damage to the cultural and historical content of the name, the tourism industry, the local economy and relations among communities. The responsible choice would be for the Minister to simply withdraw the change,” she adds.

AfriForum calls on everyone who wants to preserve Graaff-Reinet’s name to oppose this ill-considered change and to sign the petition against it here.

Brief aan Gayton McKenzie oor beswaar mbt Graaff Reinet – FEB 2026 Download