The public march organized by the Robert Sobukwe Town steering committee took to the streets in a public march in commemoration and celebration of the legacy of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe on Saturday, 14 March. The town of Graaff-Reinet now renamed to Robert Sobukwe Town, was officially named after Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, the founder member and first president of the PAC.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) and national government aimed to address naming legacies linked to colonialism and apartheid. The changes are contentious. While many supporters view this as a reclamation of identity, others including the DA, argue that public consultation was insufficient and that costs should be directed toward service delivery and job creation.
The PAC president Mzwanele Nyhontso said they came to support the name change, not proposing the name change. “We are here as PAC and the community because this march is not about PAC it is the community to endorse the decision not to call for the town to be changed, this town has been changed already it is gazetted, its name is Robert Sobukwe Town, so we are here to support that, we are here to endorse that decision because we feel that it is the right decision. This is the place where Sobukwe was born, this is the place where Sobukwe was buried and therefore it is very befitting that it is named after him, the defier of the undefiable” confirmed the President.
In early 2026, South Africa’s Sport, Arts and Culture Minister approved 21 new geographical name changes in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, focusing on renaming towns and cities to reflect indigenous history and transform colonial-era naming legacies. Key changes included East London becoming KuGompo City and Graaff-Reinet becoming Robert Sobukwe Town.
Objecting: The gazetted changes generally trigger a one-month public objection period. Graaff-Reinet was officially renamed Robert Sobukwe Town after a name change in February 2026. The name change was received with mixed emotions and confusions; Some agreed with the change but raised questions about the costs, some saying that name changes will not bring any change and those saying “History must go on”.
The residents supporting the new name Robert Sobukwe Town (former Graaff Reinet) marched through the streets of uMasizakhe with PAC, the community of Masizakhe, civic organizations, church leaders, political parties and school children. The peaceful march ended in front of the Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipal building in church street also renamed Robert Sobukwe Memorial Building in 2000 from the name P.W. Botha, the memorandum endorsing the name change. The march started from the Nqweba Secondary School in uMasizakhe, ending in church street.
The memorandum was handed over to the Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality by the Sobukwe Town STEERING COMMITTEE saying “Our History. Our Identity. Our Future.”
The uncompleted Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Museum and Learning centre in uMasizakhe was also visited. A great concern from the community was the uncompleted and unveiled statue still wrapped in plastic.
MEMORANDUM OF SUPPORT
FOR THE OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF ROBERT SOBUKWE TOWN (Formerly known as Graaff-Reinet)
Memorandum of Support for the Official Recognition and Renaming of Robert Sobukwe Town
1. INTRODUCTION
We, the community of Robert Sobukwe Town, hereby submit this Memorandum of Support to formally express our unwavering and collective support for the official recognition and renaming of our town, formerly known as Graaff-Reinet, to Robert Sobukwe Town. This memorandum represents the unified voice of a people determined to reclaim their history, restore their dignity, and honour one of South Africa’s most principled liberation leaders.
2. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL CONTEXT
The name Graaff-Reinet is a product of colonial conquest and dispossession. It reflects a legacy that glorified colonial administrators while erasing the presence, struggles, and identity of the indigenous and African people of this land. South Africa continues to face the unfinished task of decolonization. The renaming of this town is therefore not an act of division, but an act of historical correction and political responsibility.
3. PURPOSE OF MEMORANDUM
The purpose of this memorandum is to publicly affirm our support for the renaming of our town to Robert Sobukwe Town; to demand the acceleration and finalisation of the official renaming process; and to assert our constitutional right to define our identity and honour our heroes.
4. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE NAME ROBERT SOBUKWE TOWN
We support the name Robert Sobukwe Town because he was born here and dedicated his life to the liberation of South Africa. His legacy represents dignity, intellectual courage, and uncompromising resistance to injustice. This “Our History. Our Identity. Our Future” renaming restores pride and historical continuity for future generations.
5. OUR COLLECTIVE DEMANDS
We therefore demand that the Municipality:
1. Officially recognise the name Robert Sobukwe Town without further delay;
2. Complete the renaming process transparently and in line with community participation;
3. Replace colonial and apartheid-era symbols with names that reflect democratic values;
4. Publicly honour Robert Sobukwe as a national hero and son of this town.
6. COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ACTION
We affirm that this memorandum and the protest march in support of it are conducted peacefully and lawfully in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Our struggle is one of justice, memory, and dignity.
7. CONCLUSION
The renaming of our town to Robert Sobukwe Town is a moral, political, and historical necessity. This town is Robert Sobukwe Town. History demands it. Justice requires it. The people affirm it.
The memorandum was signed by the secretary of the Robert Sobukwe Town, Ms Nomandla Singeni and the Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality speaker, Cheslin Felix in front of the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Memorial Building in Church street.
