Residents are shocked with the possible name change for Graaff-Reinet

The proposed name change for Graaff-Reinet was announced by Eastern Cape’s Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture on the 29th of August 2023. 

The suggested names- Robert Sobukwe and Fred Hufkie, caused mixed reactions from a lot of people. The suggested names were prominent people in the Graaff-Reinet Karoo who played different roles in the Apartheid Area. 

Different key players voiced their opinions and had pressing questions such as where the funding for the suggested name changes would come from. The name Graaff-Reinet has been embedded in the Karoo and cemented itself in the hearts of Graaff-Reinetters. 

Both Robert Sobukwe and Fred Hufkie were liberal fighters against the apartheid regime. Robert Sobukwe was the founding member of the Pan Africanist Congress and was one of the first organizations to propose a non-racial South Africa. Hufkie was a teacher at heart and later became the principal of Spandau High School. Hufkie fought for equal education and was opposed to a racially segregated education. 

The Camdeboo Municipal Office is named after Robert Sobukwe and the Kroonvale Cricket Stadium was named after Fred Hufkie.