Purpose of the Council
The Council was established by the South African Geographical Names Council Act 118 of 1998. The purpose of the act, according to its preamble, is: "To establish a permanent advisory body known as the South African Geographical Names Council to advise the Minister responsible for Arts and Culture on the transformation and standardisation of geographical names in South Africa for official purposes; to determine its objects, functions and methods of work; and to provide for matters connected therewith."
A "geographical name" is defined as any terrestrial feature within the territorial limits of the Republic of South Africa, together with any that fall under the jurisdiction of the Republic as acquired by treaty, regardless of whether the feature is natural or made or adapted by human agency, or whether it is populated or unpopulated.
The Council is tasked with providing both the name of each geographical feature and the written form of that name.
Composition of the Council
The Council must consist of no fewer than fifteen and no more than twenty-five members appointed by the Minister of Arts and Culture, of whom:
- One must be nominated by each of the nine South African provinces.
- One must be nominated by each of the following:
- The South African Post Office.
- The Chief Directorate: National Geo-spatial Information.
- The Pan South African Language Board.
The other members of the board must be appointed according to their special competence, experience and interest in the relevant fields and taking into account the linguistic, cultural and demographic characteristics of the population of South Africa.
A member of the Council is appointed for a period of three years and may then be reappointed for a further period of three years.
The Council may meet as often as necessary, but at least three times a year. The 2001 amendment to the law, provided that "The Minister may dissolve the Council on any reasonable grounds.” [5]
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