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Gqeberha – Was Port Elizabeth Blindsided?

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Port Elizabeth was renamed to Gqeberha in the Government Gazette of 23 February 2021. This after the process in terms of the Name Change Act was followed over the course of a number of years.

The reaction from lovers of the name Port Elizabeth was vocal and centered around the cost of name changes and the possible death of tourism to South Africa.

Gqeberha, Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch form part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

MyGqeberha.com

Residents of Gqeberha were quick to establish online petitions against the name change and the Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Nqaba Bhanga of the Democratic Alliance launched an online petition on the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality web site to facilitate protests against the name change as well.

In terms of the name change act these protests/appeals against a name change will be allowed up to 30 days after the actual name change is promulgated in the Government Gazette.

Writing on the Ward7.co.za web site Alan Straton – a candidate Ward Councillor for the Abantu Integrity Movement (AIM) – paraphrasing the Serenity prayer said; “God grant me the serenity to EMBRACE the need for a name change; courage to capitalise on that in the best way I can; and wisdom to show empathy and nation build with all.”

In reply Mandisa Magwaxaza summed up the situation as follows; “Nicely written, Alan. The serenity prayer says grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Ladies and gentlemen, that includes all the perceived flaws in the planning or lack thereof leading up to this name change. We cannot influence that thought process, that boat has sailed. Luckily for us the tourism brand is still Nelson Mandela Bay as it is affiliated to the Metro name. All we have control over now is our response and action.”

In reply to the protests against the name change local news publication – MyGqeberha.com – launched an online petition allowing residents in favour of the name change to also voice their opinion. Editor of MyGqeberha.com Alan Straton said; “We felt that it was necessary to give a platform to those who approved of the name change. Not only would this bring a modicum of balance to the debate but could very well assist in bringing people on opposing sides of the fence together in understanding of the reconciliation road we are still trudging along.”

The uptake on the petition from this brand new publication has been strong and the approval comments published can be read here: https://mygqeberha.com/tag/namechange/

Some remarks from residents who approved the name change:

  • Amandlangawethu: I love the name. It unites us as people of the region.
  • Liyabona: Because it brings us to our roots
  • Xola: This is the original name of the area from our forefathers it brings back ownership to the owners and original people Gqeberha. White people have messed up by introducing apartheid and pronounced our names badly.
  • Nosithembiso: There where mtngs all over the place of changing name so we agreed of changing the Port Elizabeth we came up with different names nd this 1 of Gqeberha has a history in our
  • Buqaqawuli: Our approval is based on appreciation of our indigenous creation.
  • Mongezi: It is good for our history as African people and the meaning of the name make sense
  • Thobani: The name is appealing to us. The Khoi and Xhosa needs to be remembered also in city naming. We are a diverse country this will help to show us how diverse we are. Keep the name
  • Kholiswa: It taking us back to our heritage and our original way of naming our places cities and regions.
  • Buyiswa: It reflects the population that lives in it
  • Mthubanzi: The name contributes to the decolonisation of our country and recognizes the indigenous people of this part of Africa
  • nomphelo: the name ‘Gqeberha’ is of our river, that was renamed to ‘Baakens River ‘.
  • Sibo: African cities need African identity and names that the indigenous people can relate to.
  • Noxolo: Restoration of the past and bringing back the rightful identity to the city.
  • Sivuyile: The name is beautiful and is symbolises our own heritage. I love it.
  • Gcobani Victor: I approve the name change because I want to feel that I am in Africa not in England. We must have names that resemble our history and culture.
  • Thandeka: I support the name Gqeberha as it has much significance since we have the river Gqeberha and it’s a indigenous name
  • Ntombentsha: I support the name change to Gqeberha. The name has a historical background, its Khoi name which means a river that runs through a city. The Khoi were the first people to stay in the city, there it make sense that we claim back what has been colonised, and for the young people to know their history. I feel strongly about this, and I hope the City will officially be named Gqeberha.
  • Nokuzola: I support the name Change Gqeberha I don’t have a problem with it
  • Rev. Vuyolwethu: Gqeberha it’s our origin name, We are reclaiming ours from the colonies. The City was called Gqeberha before changed to Algoa bay and later for relationship affairs it was called Port Elizabeth with no meaning just for romance between the couple and abuse of power.
  • Tony: The process was well published and the law abiding citizens attended and made submission so the process that we set ourselves as the country must be respected. Again once intentional or unintentional we erode our systems one day people would say let’s do rerun of elections based on the voter low turnout. Again the name Gqeberha originate in Gqeberha its not a kind of new name but was corrupted and eroded by colonial system. Why would you talk of teaching children mother tongue but again you deny your own originality. I support the name change and I support Gqeberha.
  • Luyanda: I feel the name best describes the unity of all who lived in it. Khoi origins and Xhosa interpretation of the name. Gqeberha has always been part of us.
  • Carol: It’s time we embrace a name that is reflective of our whole country. It’s time we allow for healing. There is no reason to have a colonial name in an African city. And I love that we have the name of a Khoi chief with such a rich history for our airport. I fully support the name change.
  • Langa: Place names for most of the Eastern Cape have khoisan origins. This means that the names have become acceptable. It makes sense to be consistent and use a khoisan word instead of a foreign word who’s origins cannot be linked to the place. Gqeberha sounds like many other Eastern Cape names and is therefore consistent. Another option would be Nelson Mandela City but the name has been over used and is not distinct enough to identify the place.
  • Lungelo: It’s imperative to start having that are reflective of all races of this city
  • Steven: Our history is rich and deep. Our common names should and must reflect the best of our history to call us to be better for ourselves, our neighbors and our descendents.

Voice your approval on the name change here: https://mygqeberha.com/gqeberha-name-change-approval/

Video: Gqeberha – Was Port Elizabeth Blindsided?

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.