Maroc - dailynews.co.za - News - 13/Aug 13:28

The government has changed over 80 South African town names, find out what they are

South Africa’s towns have undergone numerous changes over the years to erase or wipe off the stain of apartheid. This was conducted by the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC).The organisation’s goal is to ensure that these new names reflect the nation’s many cultures and languages, instead of the vestiges of colonial and apartheid histories.Founded in 1998, the SAGNC has subsequently approved modifications to over 1,500 names, including 85 towns.While some name changes of towns are new, others go back to when the council was founded. Here are some of the new town names:Fort Beaufort - KwaMaqomaSomerset East - KwaNojoliMorgan’s Bay - GxarhaCradock - EnxubaPomeroy - Solomon LindaBrandfort - Winnie MandelaMount Fletcher - TlokoengKing William’s Town - QonceBerlin - NtabozukoMaclear - NqanqarhuGrahamstown - MakhandaMelmoth - eMthonjaneniMount Ayliff- MaXesibeniElliot - KhowaMount Frere - KwaBhacaQueenstown - KomaniLady Frere - CacaduClocolan - HlohlolwaneAliwal North - MaletswaiJamestown - James CalataMzinto - eMuziwezintoGrootvlei - Thaba-KgwaliGreylingstad - NthrowanePetrus Steyn - MamafubeduIxopo - eXobhoMkuze - eMkhuzeCongella - KwaKhangelaTongaat - oThongathiUmdloti - eMdlotiAmanzimtoti - eManzimtotiMafikeng - MahikengPretoria - TshwanePiet Retief - eMkhondoBadplaas - eManzanaNaboomspruit - MookgophongRooifontein - NokanengWarmbaths - Bela-BelaWitbank - eMalahleniMessina - MusinaWhat do you think of these changes? Are they warranted and do they serve their purpose of washing off the stain of apartheid?IOL