The Azania Movement confirms that Graaff-Reinet has officially been renamed Robert Sobukwe Town, following a sustained process of parliamentary intervention, institutional engagement, and advocacy.
The President of the Azania Movement, Nolubabalo Mcinga, a native of Graaff-Reinet, led this effort as a legacy to her hometown, guided by the Azania Movement’s principle of achieving transformation through finding real solutions to urgent matters affecting our communities and country, research, written correspondences, round-table engagement, and disciplined intellectual work, rather than pickets, protests, or public spectacle.
In 2024, while serving in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), President Mcinga tabled a Motion Without Notice calling for the renaming to honour Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe.
The process faced delays and resistance. In a written response dated 28 March 2025, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Honourable Gayton McKenzie, cited concerns regarding public participation and petitions opposing the renaming, referring the matter back to the province.
President Mcinga did not pause. She challenged the delays and Minister McKenzie’s response, engaged directly with the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC), requested access to petitions, and ensured the people’s submission was fully considered. The process was strengthened by academic support from historian Dr JJ Klaas (PhD, Cambridge University).
The Deputy Chairperson of the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), Mr Johnny Mohlala, confirmed that during a meeting on 26 January 2026, the ECPGNC submitted the names for standardisation, and Minister Gayton McKenzie formally approved the renaming of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town, alongside other Eastern Cape.
“The renaming of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town proves that structured engagement, intellectual rigor, and disciplined persistence deliver real transformation. For the people of Robert Sobukwe Town, it corrects a colonial legacy and restores historical dignity. Our next step will be to advocate for the renaming of the country itself, as ‘South Africa’ is not a proper name but a geographic direction on the continent. Our main focus as Azania Movement remains ending poverty, and this is just the beginning. We have engaged specialists, experts, and supportive countries of BRICS to assist the Azania Movement to make this project a success, and we will be engaging the President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, to work with us to implement solutions,” said Nolubabalo Mcinga, President of the Azania Movement.
We as the Azania Movement remain committed to this mission.
From Emancipation To Solutions.