About Us

The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC) is an institution that is established by the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in terms of section2(2)(a) of the South African Geographical Names Council act (Act No.118 of 1998) responsible for planning, facilitating the process of standardization of geographical place names in the eastern cape province.

ECPGNC process guidelines for standardization enables anybody/group to apply for standardization of place names, upon receipt of application a name is subjected for research, convene a stakeholder consultation in Municipalities, conduct public hearings with communities directly affected and lastly submit the ECPGNC recommendations to SAGNC.

Our Vision

ECPGNC to be model province for the transformation of the cultural heritage landscape through the standardization of place names in the country.

Our Mission

 The mission of the ECPGNC is to standardise geographical names in Eastern Cape; to redress, correct and transform the geographical naming system in Eastern Cape

Our Values

Fair, transparent and people-centred process though putting the views of the public at the centre of the standardization activities.

Legal Framework

The ECPGNC and its committees perform duties within the legislative framework as outlined in the following pieces of legislation. 

·         Constitution of the Republic of 1996

·        SAGNC Act 118 of 1998

·         SAGNC Regulations (as amended)

·         SAGNC Guidelines

·         Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA)

·         Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA)

·         United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) resolutions

The functions of the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee:

  • The ECPGNC is responsible for advising local authorities and working with them in ensuring that they apply the principles of the SAGNC to the names under their jurisdiction.
  • The ECPGNC makes recommendations to the SAGNC on the names of geographical features that fall within its provincial boundaries. It should do preparatory work for the submission of names to the SAGNC and is responsible for seeing that local communities and other stakeholders are adequately consulted.
  • Establishes sub-committees and, in line with the provisions of the SAGNC Act 118, sets guidelines for their operations and ensures that they are represented by their respective Chairpersons in meetings of the Provincial Committee;
  • Take the lead in creating public interest in the standardization of geographical names through public awareness and public participation campaigns that reveal the socio-economic benefits of the process to communities.
  • Facilitate research on all names that have been proposed for standardisation, and ensures that hitherto unrecorded and duplicated names are collected and submitted for the attention of the SAGNC; and
  • Advises the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture on all matters pertaining to the transformation of geographical names in the province
  • The ECPGNC liaises with the SAGNC on promoting research and ensuring that unrecorded names are collected.
  • Facilitate the transformation of geographical names in the province through their review and standardization.

Our Committe Members

Chairperson

Mr Christian Martin, Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Committee (ECPGNC), is a civil rights activist and social justice pioneer from the Northern Areas of Gqeberha. With a lifelong commitment to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the recognition of the KhoiSan Nation, Mr Martin has played a leading role in the fight for indigenous rights. He is known nationally for his involvement in the KhoiSan group that has camped outside the South African Parliament, advocating for official recognition and legislative inclusion. A visionary in heritage and naming transformation, Mr Martin was instrumental in the renaming of key places such as Kariega, David Stuurman Airport, and Nxuba, among many others. His advocacy has helped shift South Africa’s geographical naming landscape from colonial remnants to proudly reflect indigenous heritage. He has conducted extensive research into indigenous place names, further driving their adoption in the national registry.

A former Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development and Public Works, Mr Martin has served in various leadership roles within the Provincial Legislature and currently a strategic Advisor to the Deputy Executive Mayor of Gqeberha. This is his second term with the ECPGNC, having first joined as a member and later appointed Chairperson during the previous term. He also represents the province as a member of the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC), where he contributes to national efforts in heritage transformation. Outspoken and media-savvy, Mr Martin continues to be a strong public voice on issues of social justice, indigenous recognition, and cultural transformation in the Eastern Cape and beyond.

ECPGNC Members

Front Row: Mr. Godfrey Masithela, Ms. Nqabiso Nongogo, Dr. Xolisa Tshongolo, MEC, Ms. Pumla Mzazi-Geja, Nkosi Gwazinamaba Matanzima and Ms. Thozama April-Maduna.

Back Row: Dr. Nkosiyabo Singanto, Cllr Noma-Afrika Maxongo, Cllr Sandile Sello, Cllr Celiwe Genyane, Cllr Simphiwe Rune and Ms. Pumza Mbali.