21 South African Place Names Changed in One Go
In January 2026 the minister approved 21 name changes, including Aberdeen to Xamdeboo and Barkly East to Ekhephini. Postal codes stay the same.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie approved 21 geographical name changes in late January 2026, and they were gazetted in February. Most are in the Eastern Cape.
Some of the changes
- East London becomes KuGompo City.
- Graaff-Reinet becomes Robert Sobukwe Town.
- Aberdeen becomes Xamdeboo.
- Adendorp becomes Bishop Limba.
- Barkly East becomes Ekhephini.
A further round in June 2026 covered villages and natural features in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
Postal codes
None of these postal codes changed. The Post Office’s list uses the old names:
| Suburb or town | Street | PO Box |
|---|---|---|
| KuGompo City (East London) | 5201 | 5200 |
| Robert Sobukwe Town (Graaff-Reinet) | 6280 | 6280 |
| Xamdeboo (Aberdeen) | 6270 | 6270 |
| Ekhephini (Barkly East) | 9786 | 9786 |
Expect both names on signs and maps for a while. For what to update on your own documents, read what a renamed town means for your address.