As South Africa marks Freedom Day, we often reflect on political liberation—but what about the spaces we live in, the names we use, and the identities they carry? Across the country, towns, streets, and landmarks are more than just markers on a map—they tell stories of history, power, and belonging. For many, renaming is not just symbolic, but a reclaiming of identity and heritage long
erased or overlooked. Tonight, we shift the conversation from freedom as an event to freedom as an ongoing process, and we’re joined by the Gauteng Geographical Names Committee to unpack how naming shapes memory, identity, and the story South Africa tells about itself.