SHOPPING FOR A NAME? : SOUTH AFRICA OR AZANIA

South Africa

Nathi Mthethwa, the arts and culture minister is using her influence to convince the ruling party's decision-making body to change the name of South Africa.  As far as she is concerned the current name is just ''a geographical description of where we are.''

Neighbouring countries that have changed their names include Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Themba Godi, president of the nationalist African People's Convention has suggested the name Azania.  Azania is a name used by the Greeks and Romans for sections of Africa and later adopted by black nationalist parties during apartheid.