GGNC falls under the authority of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Gauteng. It is an advisory body constituted by the South African Geographical Names Act 118 of 1998 to among other things standardize names, advise the MEC on matters name change and place names, and facilitate the public participation process. The GGNC is constituted of a minimum of fifteen (15) and a m
aximum of twenty (20) members who are appointed based on a process of public nominations, and in consideration of, but not limited to, the following areas of expertise and/or experience: language, history, geography and/or cartography, tourism, local government, postal services, legal services, and research appointed by the MEC. These will include local government representatives nominated by the local authorities. The secretariat of the GGNC is provided by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The functions of the GGNC are:
To advise local authorities and work with them in ensuring that they apply the principles of the SAGNC in the names under their jurisdiction;
To make recommendations to the SAGNC on the names of geographical features that fall within its provincial boundaries. It should do preparatory work for the submission of names to the SAGNC, and is responsible for seeing to it that local authorities and other stakeholders are adequately consulted;
To liaise with SAGNC on promoting research and ensuring that unrecorded names are collected. Features within the competence of the PGNC
a) Geographical names of national concern, including but not limited to towns, suburbs and any form of human settlement, post offices, railway stations, highways, and government dams. b) Natural landforms e.g., mountains, hills, rivers, streams, bays, headlands and points, islands, passes and ‘neks’. c) Provincial properties, such as squares, provincial buildings including hospitals, schools etc. Features within the competence of Local Authorities
Geographical names of local concern include municipal:
• Streets,
• Buildings,
• Squares,
• Parks,
• Cemeteries, etc. STRUCTURE
MEC: Ms. Mbali Hlophe
HOD: Ms. Priscilla Masisi
Chairperson:
Sheena Satikge-Sibisi
Deputy Chairperson
Mandla Mathebula
Members
Dr. Sally Maepa
Dr. Tsepang Leuta
Ms. Marike Brown
Ms. Nomfundo Gumede
Ms. Madali Chibambu
Ms. Nkhensani Matika
Ms. Eunice Segatlhe-Lesejane
Mr. Neville Felix
Prof. Ben Senokoane
Mr. Fhatuwani Rambau
Mr. Vincent Mahlangu
Mr. Vincent Mkhwanazi
Mr. Vincent Maumela
Officials supporting the GGNC
Ms. Maphata Ramphele
Mr. Cebolenkosi Ngcobo
Mr. Msimeki Mathonsi
