Application to change names on the South African Geographical Names Council Database
Description
Geographical names are names of features on earth that are natural or manmade and adapted. These features may be populated or unpopulated.
Geographical names that fall within the jurisdiction of local government include streets, municipal buildings and squares, local parks and cemeteries, and privately owned buildings. Geographical names that fall within the scope of national government include towns, suburbs, human settlements, post offices, stations, airports, harbours and highways, as well as natural landforms such as mountains, streams, rivers, bays, points, islands, wetlands and national parks.
Who may apply for a name approval?
All government departments, provincial governments, local authorities, the South African Post Office (SAPO), property developers, or any other body or person.
For more information go to the South African Geographical Names Council
Steps to follow
- Obtain application form from the South African Geographical Names Council or your provincial geographical names council.
- Submit the form with the following information:
- The language from which the name has been derived.
- Origin and meaning of the name if you know it.
- Feature for the proposed name, e.g. a post office or railway station.
- Magisterial district and province where the place is situated.
- How far, and in what direction, the feature is situated from the nearest town or magistrate.
- Enclose an A4-size map.
- Name the person who suggested the new name.
- Submit the application form to the Tribal Authority or Local Authority for signing or affixing of an official stamp.
- Submit the completed form to South African Geographical Names Council, Department of Arts and Culture.
Legal framework
South African Geographical Names Council Act, 1998 (Act 118 of 1998)
Service standard
There is a waiting period of at least three months.
Cost
This service is free.
Forms to complete
Application for proposed new Geographical Name and/or change of existing geographical name.
Contact details
Contact Person: Ms Thulile Mthembu
Tel Office: 012 441 3679
Fax : 0865298153
Address : (Physical) Sechaba House, 202 Madiba Street, Pretoria
(Postal) Private Bag X897, Pretoria, 0001
Approved geographical names to date.
Toponymic guidelines for map and other editors
In support of the United Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) in its aims towards the standardisation of geographical names, South Africa as a member state of the Africa South Division acknowledges the Resolutions adopted at the UN Conferences on the Standardisation of Geographical Names.
It was recognised inter alia that national standardisation is an essential preliminary to international standardisation (Resolution II/31(2).
For more information on the guidelines and approved geographical names click on the link below:
