Goodbye Graaff-Reinet: South African town’s name change stirs racial tensions

<p>Minister’s decision to ditch town’s colonial-era identity and honour anti-apartheid activist divides residents</p><p>A South African town is divided over changing its name from the colonial-era Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe, after the anti-apartheid activist, in a debate that has inflamed racial tensions.</p><p>Petitions have been signed, rival marches held and a formal letter of complaint sent to the sports, arts and culture minister, Gayton McKenzie, who <a href="https://www.gpwonline.co.za/government-gazettes-4/">approved</a> the name change on 6 February.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/29/graaff-reinet-robert-sobukwe-south-african-town-name-change-stirs-racial-tensions">Continue reading...</a>