The beloved South African coastal town that might soon be renamed

Popular tourist town in the Eastern Cape, Port Alfred, may soon undergo a name change, becoming iCoyi or iCawa. 

The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Council is well into the process of changing the town’s name.

The Ndlambe Municipality, which governs the town, recently held meetings to discuss the impending change, which was “marked by passionate debate.”

“Some stakeholders expressed concerns about the potential financial impact, raising that businesses and the tourism sector might need to invest significantly in rebranding should the changes be implemented,” the municipality said. 

“On the other hand, many residents argued that the process is not about profit, but restoring the dignity of African identity. They emphasised that heritage and history should take precedence over economic considerations.”

Residents in favour of the name change said that iCoyi is not a new name, but rather a return to the original name by which Port Alfred was known before colonial renaming.

Stakeholders continue to be sharply divided on the issue. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) are both advocating for the name to remain. 

The DA’s MPL Jane Cowley argues that this would deal a devastating blow to the tourism brand and economy of these towns. 

“In a province where economic growth peaked at a paltry 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025…the jobs bloodbath in the Eastern Cape is set to worsen,” she said. 

The Port Alfred Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association and Keep Port Alfred and Alexandria have applied to the court for an official interdict on the name change. 

From ‘Port Alfred’ to ‘iCoyi’

The legal action targets the Port Alfred name change, as well as proposed name changes for Alexandria and the Kowie River. “The application challenges the lawfulness, fairness and procedural integrity of the process undertaken to date,” the associations said. 

They argue that “60.2% of the town opposes the name change” while only 31.3% support it. They say that only 25.6% of residents understand the meaning of the new proposed names.

This is according to independently gathered community sentiment data, according to the associations. 

They also found that 84.4% of respondents rate the current town name positively, and 83.1% feel a strong sense of belonging to it. This is while 70.1% believe the change will negatively affect jobs and tourism.

66.6% regard the name change as a waste of public funds. “These findings show that a vast majority of residents are not only concerned about the impact but also feel excluded from a fair and transparent process. 

The town of Port Alfred, however, has already seen its name change a few times since it was founded in 1821. 

This was when the first European settlers sailed to the Kowie River mouth. At the time, the land was just a marshy area with a few islands and expansive reed beds. 

A small brig was introduced to cross the river mouth, and a harbour master was appointed by the Cape Government to oversee the development of the area. The government named the town Port Kowie after the river. 

The name didn’t stick, however, and as the town grew, the name was changed to Port Frances in 1825. This was in honour of the wife of Colonel Henry Somerset, son of the Cape Governor at the time. 

A history of name changes

The harbour was only completed and operational in 1863, when it thrived for the next 20 years, with around 100 ships entering the harbour annually. 

It was during this peak in the town’s growth that it was once again renamed. When Prince Albert was visiting the colony, the town was renamed Port Alfred in his honour. 

The harbour fell into disuse in the 1890s when a railway line was established between Port Alfred and Grahamstown. 

Wharf Street, the first commcercial street in the town that dates back to the original 1821 days, is now a tourist hub with carefully preserved buildings. 

Since these days of vibrant economic activity are long gone, Residents are now dependent on tourism.

According to Jennifer Schoultz, a Port Elizabeth writer who writes on behalf of Port Alfred’s Residents Associations, “Port Alfred faces the ongoing challenge of sustaining economic activity and community wellbeing outside of peak tourist seasons.”

“Tourism is the cornerstone of our local economy, directly influencing job creation, small business growth, and the overall vibrancy of the town. For destinations like ours, tourism is not merely a seasonal boost; it is a critical driver of long-term sustainability and prosperity.”

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