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