Faizel Patel – 26/02/2021
Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and two airports in the city have official new names.
Arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa recognised the new names by publication in the Government Gazette.
Many South Africans are learning how to pronounce Gqeberha, the new name for the city of Port Elizabeth.
It is the Xhosa name for the Baakens River, which flows through the city.
Xhosa is one of South Africa’s 11 official languages and one of the few in the world that has a “click” sound, which can be difficult for non-Xhosa speakers to master.
The major new names are:
Port Elizabeth airport is now Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
East London airport is now the King Phalo Airport
Port Elizabeth itself is now Gqeberha
Uitenhage is now Kariega
King William’s Town is now Qonce
Maclear is now Nqanqarhu
Take a listen to how Radio Islam employees attempt at pronouncing the names
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