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WHAT IS THE WESTERN CAPE GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES COMMITTEE On 29 March 2004, the Western Cape Geographical Names Committee (WCGNC) was launched as a sub-committee of the Western Cape Cultural Commission. The naming of geographical features and changing these names is the task of local and national government. Geographical names that fall within the jurisdiction of local government include streets, municipal buildings and squares, local parks and cemeteries, and privately owned buildings. Geographical names falling within the scope of national government include towns, suburbs, human settlements, post offices, stations, airports, harbours, highways and natural landforms such as mountains, streams, rivers, bays, points, islands, wetlands and national parks. The Western Cape Geographical Names Committee is responsible for reviewing the names of geographical features in the Western Cape to ensure that the names are appropriate and to prevent confusion resulting from differences in spelling and translations of names. The Committee takes into account cultural, historical, linguistic, political and practical considerations. The Committee’s core functions are to: - Advise local authorities on the principles to be applied to geographical names within the Western Cape as set out by the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No. 118 of 1998)
- Prepare submissions of names to the South African Geographical Names Council.
- Make recommendations to the South African Geographical Names Council on the proposed names of geographical features that fall within the boundaries of the Western Cape.
- Take the lead in creating public interest in geographical names and ensuring that local communities and stakeholders are adequately consulted.
- Collect unrecorded geographical names and ensure that they are accurately recorded.
- Promote awareness of the economic and social benefits of the standardisation and transformation of geographical names.
- Ensure the effective implementation of the naming process by all spheres of government.
WHO MAY APPLY FOR NAME APPROVAL? - All government departments, provincial departments, local authorities and the South African Post Office
- Property developers, communities and/or organisations within the boundaries of the Western Cape, or a single person.
PROCEDURE FOR ENQUIRING ABOUT GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES You can get the form to apply for the approval of a geographical name from the SAGNC or the WCGNC. The form sets out the information that you should provide. Please complete the form as accurately as possible. If you need help completing the form you can apply to WCGNC for assistance in this process through your local authority. CONTACT DETAILS For more information contact: Ms. Y Lee
3rd Floor, Protea Assurance Building, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town, 8000
PO Box X9067, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: 021 483 9715
Fax: 021 483 9711
ylee@pgwc.gov.za |
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