Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha

 

What’s in a name?

By Bianca Louw

Apr 16, 2021.

 

Port Elizabeth which is also known as “The Friendly City” or “The Windy City” was previously known as Algoa Bay and renamed as Port Elizabeth by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his wife Elizabeth Frances. The city was recently renamed to Gqeberha. Why Gqeberha? The name change issue has been dragging on for nearly two years. Boy Lamani of KwaMagxaki, is the man behind the new name for Port Elizabeth. Gqeberha is the isiXhosa name for Walmer Township, which is the first and oldest township in Port Elizabeth.

The Nelson Mandela Sculpture at the Donkin Reserve in Gqeberha

These names are not plucked out of thin air, they carry history with them and if the public can take the time to read up on it, they will realize how relevant these name changes are in our country. “Name change is important as it helps to restore the culture of the country. When you look at other countries, they embrace their language and culture fully” says Andrew Mabuso a local resident.  

Geographical name changing costs millions and that money could have been used to fix the cities internal problems. The justification is reparation in our country, undoing the wrongs of apartheid which we as a nation have grown accustomed to and shrugged under the rug. “Where does government get the money for these name changes?” asks Raquel Bloem, a grade 12 student. Raquel feels that the different culture groups in Port Elizabeth will have their own complaints against the name change. If government can afford to make these name changes, Port Elizabeth residents feel that there should be enough funds allocated for more important issues. Local teacher Priscilla Nkawu expresses that these name changes are just wasting government funds. “Public servants will not get salary raises for the coming two years but money was wasted on name changes” says Priscilla.

“The name change caused a lot of discomfort for many because many citizens cannot even begin to pronounce Gqeberha” says Anecia Rossouw, a student in the area. Imagine how powerful our amazing country would be if government money were not looted. The issue of Port Elizabeth’s name change presents our ignorance or lack of knowledge of our town democracy. 

The mere fact that the name change was not bestowed on us but voted into existence, communicates a desperate need for democratic processes of our country as it affects each and everyone of us” expresses Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth resident Johan Kriege. There have been mixed emotions around Port Elizabeth since the name change. Lazola has been a resident of Port Elizabeth for over 30 years, doing odd jobs to survive. He is very happy with the name change and is willing to go to the library or museum just to educate himself on the meaning and origin of Gqeberha. “Government should work together with communities when they want to implement changes and that would help to avoid any conflict” says Faezz Salie.

If people can dance to and pronounce “Gqom” music, they should have no problem pronouncing Gqeberha.