South Africa’s resilient humour shines through: Eskom Megawatt Park becomes Eskom MegaGravy Train Park, and Luthuli House renamed Loothuli House on Google Maps.
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 May 2023) – In a recent incident that has captured the attention of South Africa, someone took it upon themselves to rename two prominent landmarks on Google Maps. “Eskom Megawatt Park” was changed to “Eskom MegaGravy Train Park,” while “Luthuli House” now appears as “Loothuli House.”
While these acts may seem controversial to some, they also highlight South Africa’s unique way of using humour as a coping mechanism, even in the face of tragedy.
South Africans are known for their sharp wit and the ability to find humour in even the most challenging situations. The renaming of these landmarks on Google Maps serves as a form of satirical social commentary, aiming to draw attention to the issues of corruption, financial mismanagement, and political struggles within the country.
Humour acts as a unifying force, providing an outlet for people to express their frustrations while fostering a sense of community and resilience.
No one has stepped up to take credit for the name change and we’re not sure how long the new names will be there for… luckily screengrabs are being shared on social media.
Update: Luthuli House was updated again to LootFreely House.