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Name-change a cock-up

Source: By Staff Reporter, 22/08/2015


Johannesburg - Bruce Cockburn was so tired of the negative
connotations associated with his name he decided to change it to
"Coburn".


He approached the Department of Home Affairs in Edenvale in 2012 to
establish the procedure to follow.
When he got no relief, he turned to the Pretoria High Court.


According to papers filed, Cockburn, of Bryanston, had long been
embarrassed by his name.


Cockburn, who is married with a 5-year-old son, said the word "cock"
was often viewed in a negative way and had a sexual connotation.
Adding "burn" made it worse.


He said the name had created problems for him growing up, and it would
for his son too. Many family members had changed their name for the
same reason, he said.


He filed an application last August, but had not been successful –
hence his appeal to the court.


The court found that he had given good reason to have his surname
changed and ordered the director-general of Home Affairs to facilitate
the family-name change in the population register.


Home Affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete said that registering a new
surname required the approval of the director-general and publication
of the name-change in the Government Gazette.


"For any changes to be made, good and sufficient reasons must be
furnished in writing. With the Cockburn matter we are yet to receive
the court papers detailing the ruling," he said. However, once they
received the papers, they would study them, Tshwete said.
Independent on Saturday


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