NATIONAL NEWS - Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has denied claims circulating on WhatsApp and social media that he has withdrawn or rescinded the renaming of Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town and other geographical name changes in the Eastern Cape.

The messages also claimed that a review application brought by AfriForum in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria had been finalised.

McKenzie said the court had not ruled on the matter and that no decision had been taken to reverse the name changes.

“I have not withdrawn anything. There is no new decision, no court judgment, and no victory for anyone to celebrate. The matter is before the court, and I will respect whatever the court decides, as every South African should,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Minister said he could not comment on the merits of the cases while the matter remained before the court.

He confirmed that none of the geographical name changes published in the Government Gazette on 6 February 2026 had been withdrawn, rescinded or amended.

The circulating message also attributed statements to Samantha Graham-Maré, MP. However, the Ministry said it could not verify whether she had made the statements.

It confirmed that no communication had been issued to Graham-Maré or anyone else announcing the withdrawal of the name changes.

The Ministry urged the public, media and public representatives to verify information with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture before sharing it.

Official communication is available on the Department’s website and through its official social media platforms. 

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