FF Plus rejects proposed name change for Eastern Cape coastal town

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) in the Eastern Cape strongly opposes the proposed renaming of Port Alfred to either iCawa or iCoyi and the Kowie River to iQoyi.

The party argues that the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee’s proposal endangers the local economy, tourism, and the community’s long-established identity.

While the FF Plus supports recognising indigenous heritage, it maintains that such recognition should not undermine an internationally recognised tourism brand.

Economic and community concerns over name change

In a letter to Ndlambe Local Municipality Speaker Andile Marasi and committee chairperson Christian Martin, the FF Plus warned that changing the names would reverse years of marketing and investment.

The party argued that the move would impose unaffordable costs on small businesses, tourism operators, and the municipality, while confusing visitors, deterring tourism, and threatening jobs and income.

It urged authorities to prioritise urgent service delivery issues instead, such as water shortages, poor roads, high unemployment, housing backlogs, and rising tariffs.

“Millions cannot be spent on name changes while basic services are collapsing,” the party stated.

A Sunshine Coast Tourism survey found that 93% of residents oppose the change, and the FF Plus says authorities should let this overwhelming sentiment guide the decision.

As an alternative, the party proposes dual naming or heritage plaques to honour indigenous names without damaging the area’s established tourism appeal.

The FF Plus will attend a public meeting on 10 September to formally object to the proposal and has requested a speaking slot for the record.