Investigating the Onomastic Need to Rename Gender-derogatory Toponyms: A South African Perspective
Dolly Maleka Makweya 
, Tebogo Jacob Rakgogo , Walter Tshamano & Nontobeko Thobile Mbatha
Issue: Vol.5 No.11 Issue Article 28 pp. 1983-2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451128 | Published online 20th September, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This article explores the onomastic necessity of renaming gender-derogatory toponyms in the South African landscape. It contends that there is a need to interrogate the reasons behind gender-derogatory names and how society relates to these names. Four theories: Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), Critical Toponymic, Socio-onomastic and Feminism theories guided, shaped and informed the authors’ argument. Qualitative in nature, the article employed content analysis for data collection and analysis purposes. A database of over twenty-five (25) toponyms that are considered gender-derogatory was purposively collected and analysed. These toponyms were further grouped into different categories for easy presentation and analysis. It was found that there are gender-derogatory toponyms among South African geographical features, many of which were named using African languages. Furthermore, there is an existing intersectionality between gender-derogatory toponyms with toxic masculinity and feminism. For these reasons, the article postulated that there should be synergy, resonance and constructive alignment among toponyms, renaming, transformation agenda and identity construction. The article further recommends renaming gender-derogatory toponyms and raising awareness about the renaming process and its approach. It emphasises that renaming should be guided by semantics and linguistic ideology rather than race, language, or political power and its influence.
Keywords: Toponyms, gender-derogatory, Critical Discourse Analysis, Feminism, Toxic Masculinity.
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Ms. Maleka D. Makweya holds a National Diploma, B-Tech, and Master of Language Practice from the Tshwane University of Technology. With over 13 years of experience in the professional sector, she specializes in corporate identity. Her career began in 2010 as an intern within the Corporate Communications Unit of the Department of Environmental Affairs. She was promoted to Senior Communication Officer in 2011 and subsequently recognized for her efforts when she became the Assistant Director: Corporate Communication in 2012. In this role, she oversees the corporate identity of the entire department, as well as translation, editing, branding, and marketing for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.
Dr. Tebogo J. Rakgogo is a NRF Y2-Rated Researcher, Senior Lecturer, and Head of the Department of Applied Languages at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). He possesses a Diploma, B-Tech, and a Master’s Degree in Language Practice from Tshwane University of Technology. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), an Honours Bachelor of Education in Educational Management, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Translation Studies from Unisa. He completed his PhD in Onomastics at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. His research interests span onomastics, sociolinguistics, dialectology, historiography, language and law as well as language policy and planning. He has published over 10 articles in DHET-accredited journals and delivered more than 25 presentations at local and international conferences. He serves as an external examiner for Wits University, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, the University of Limpopo, the Central University of Technology, the University of the Western Cape and the National University of Lesotho. He contributed to language authorities as a member of the Sesotho sa Leboa National Language Body (PanSALB sub-structure) and served on the Board of Directors for the Sesotho sa Leboa National Lexicography Unit (PanSALB sub-structure). He is an active participant in TUT’s governance structures, being a member of Campus Management Committee (CMC), Senate, and Institutional Forum, where he has served as the Chairperson. He further represented the Institutional Forum on TUT Council. He previously served as the President of the Humanities and Social Sciences Alumni Association within the framework of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS). He has been appointed to serve on the DHET Review Panel on the implementation of the Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions. He is the Deputy Chairperson of the African Languages Association of Southern Africa (ALASA) Board. Lastly, he chairs the National Terminology Policy Steering Committee instituted by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture.
Dr Walter Tshamano read law and languages for his undergraduate studies. He completed two Masters programmes, in African languages (specializing in Tshivenḓa) and Management (Human Resources Management and Development) at the University of Limpopo and Johannesburg respectively. He completed a Doctor of Literature and Philosophy (DLitt et Phil) in African Languages at the University of South Africa, focusing on language policy implementation in Higher Education institutions. He worked as a language teacher and lecturer before joining the University of South Africa Directorate of Learner Support and Community Engagement as Head of the Learning Centre; and later, a Deputy Director. He joined the Tshwane University of Technology as Campus Director; and later, Campus Rector. Walter is a published author in diverse areas, including Mathematics, short stories, poetry, and instructional manuals in the teaching of African Languages. He also worked as an editor for several South African publishers. He has also read papers at national and international conferences, as well as publishing in diverse areas such as language teaching, policy and implementation, student learning and engagement, language and culture promotion, economic revitalization through languages, just to name a few. He has supervised Honours and Masters students and acted as a Masters and doctoral external examiner.
Dr Nontobeko T. Mbatha is a professional educator and lecturer, who holds a Doctoral Degree in African Languages and Culture (isiZulu) from the University of Zululand as well as Master’s Degree from the Tshwane University of Technology. She has more than 8 years tertiary lecturing experience. Her niche areas are research in African languages (isiZulu) and sociolinguistics. She has proven track record of publications in both. Further, Dr Mbatha supervises numerous students at master’s level. In addition, she serves as an external moderator and assessor for various universities. Moreover, Dr Mbatha is a member of various professional bodies including ALASA and SAJAL. She also serves as a reviewer for publication houses. In brief, Dr Mbatha is a well-informed passionate academic.
Makweya,Dolly Maleka, Tebogo Jacob Rakgogo, Walter Tshamano & Nontobeko Thobile Mbatha. “Investigating the Onomastic Need to Rename Gender-derogatory Toponyms: A South African Perspective,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.11 (2024): 1983-2000. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451128
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
