KuGompo or eMonti? Why East London’s new name is causing debate

KuGompo City is now the official name for East London.

It is one of 21 recent name changes for towns and cities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

The name is said to be inspired by the sound of waves crashing against Gompo Rock, a sacred site for the amaXhosa people.

Historian and author Dr JJ Klaas says historical evidence shows the area was inhabited by the amaXhosa centuries before the arrival of colonialists.

"What bothers me as a historian is when people say this name change is a waste of money. I think that is a demonstration of a lack of understanding of how that history happened."

Klaas explains that the city was named East London in 1847 by Major General Harry Smith.

"He named that place to mark the permanent presence of the British Empire in Southern Africa."

He adds, "Having that name change is not just a name change, it is something far deeper."

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But the decision has drawn criticism from those who believe the name eMonti should rather have been chosen, given its widespread informal use over many years.

Klaas says that eMonti have no roots in isiXhosa.

"You know amaXhosa are quite famous in terms of changing things around!"

The name came about by accident, as a mispronunciation of ‘mouth’ or ‘mond’ (in Afrikaans) after settlers referred to the Buffalo River mouth.

The name is not meaningful as it is not attached to anything, says Klaas.

To listen to Klaas in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, use the audio player below: