Your Town Was Renamed: What Happens to Your Address and Postal Code?
With 21 towns renamed in 2026, many people ask whether to change their address. For postal codes the answer is no. What to update and what to leave alone.
South Africa approved a large batch of geographical name changes in 2026, including East London becoming KuGompo City and Graaff-Reinet becoming Robert Sobukwe Town. In August 2026, IOL published a guide to what the changes mean for official documents. Here is the practical side for anyone sending or receiving mail.
Your postal code stays the same
Postal codes belong to delivery areas, not to place names. When a town is renamed, the code does not change, and the Post Office’s own list often keeps the old name for a long time. That is why ZarPostalCodes lets you search by either name. For example, searching “Gqeberha” finds Port Elizabeth’s codes.
Which name should you write?
- Letters and parcels: either name reaches the right place, because the code routes the mail. Using the new official name is good practice.
- Online forms: if a drop-down list only offers the old name, choose it; the postal code does the work.
- Business documents: update letterheads and invoices at your next reprint. There is usually no deadline for private addresses.
- ID, bank and municipal records: you do not normally need to change an existing address just because a town was renamed. Update it when you next change your details.
Codes for renamed towns
| Suburb or town | Street | PO Box |
|---|---|---|
| KuGompo City (East London) | 5201 | 5200 |
| Robert Sobukwe Town (Graaff-Reinet) | 6280 | 6280 |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) | 6001 | 6000 |
| Makhanda (Grahamstown) | 6139 | 6140 |
See the full list in our guide to renamed towns and their postal codes.