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Apply for a geographical name change
Description
Citizens may apply for a Local Geographical Name Change (LGNC) to be considered by the Gauteng Geographical Names Committee (GGNC).
Citizens may apply for a Local Geographical Name Change (LGNC) to be considered by the Gauteng Geographical Names Committee (GGNC). This refers to any names of features on the earth that are natural or man-made and adopted and can be occupied or unoccupied. Application forms are obtainable from the Local Geographical Names Committee (LGNC) and through the relevant municipal office. The applicant must submit the form with required information including the origin and the meaning of the name, and a second choice. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure prior public consultation with communities and proof of these consultation must be attached and submitted with the application form to the LGNC.
Once the application is received, the Gauteng Geographical National Committee (GGNC) checks the proposed name changes and may send it back or refer it to the experts for further investigation. If satisfied with the application and its contents, the committee approves names of provincial importance and further recommends to the South African Geographical National Committee (SAGNC) should the application be of national importance. If the SAGNC is satisfied with the application, the name change will be recommended to the Minister for approval. Once the name change has been approved, it will be published in the Government Gazette.
This refers to any names of features on the earth that are natural or man-made and adopted and can be occupied or unoccupied.
How to apply?
- Application forms are obtainable from the Local Geographical Names Committee (LGNC) and through the relevant municipal office.
- The applicant must submit the form with required information including the origin and the meaning of the name, and a second choice.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure prior public consultation with communities and proof of these consultation must be attached and submitted with the application form to the LGNC.
Process for approval
- Once the application is received, the Gauteng Geographical National Committee (GGNC) checks the proposed name changes and may send it back or refer it to the experts for further investigation.
- If satisfied with the application and its contents, the committee approves names of provincial importance and further recommends to the South African Geographical National Committee (SAGNC) should the application be of national importance.
- If the SAGNC is satisfied with the application, the name change will be recommended to the Minister for approval.
- Once the name change has been approved, it will be published in the Government Gazette.
