Southern African Resources (SAR) says it is going to change its name as it seeks to focus on the pgm industry.

The emerging firm will seek to capitalise on the start it has made since debuting on the London Stock Exchange in 2002, changing its name to African Platinum (Afplats).

The deal remains subject to shareholder approval, but Roy Pitchford, CEO of SAR said he believed the name change would prove a catalyst for success.

"Given our exclusive focus on platinum group metals, and our corporate strategy that seeks to build the premier pan-African platinum investment opportunity, we felt that our existing name was too generic to support our expanding corporate marketing effort," he said.

"'African Platinum', on the other hand, states the nature of our business explicitly."

Mr Pitchford also noted that the change would be better managed now, while the firm planned its secondary listing on the American Stock Exchange.

Ultimately SAR is hoping that it can facilitate further North American investment.

An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders will now be convened as the firm seeks to canvass shareholders' views.