EASTERN CAPE ’ S RICH HISTORY

EASTERN Cape (see crossword below) is a province of South Africa that was formed in 1994 out of the “independent” homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province.

It is the landing place and home of the 1820 settlers and the birthplace of many prominent politicians, such as ANC leaders Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, PAC founder Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, SACP leader Chris Hani, former president Thabo Mbeki, Black Consciousness Movement founder Steve Biko and Sir Charles Coghlan, the first premier of Southern Rhodesia (1923-1927) .

It is also home of the iconic University of Fort Hare in Alice, founded in 1916.

Its alumni came from across sub-Saharan Africa and include Robert Mugabe and Sir Seretse Khama. It is also home to famous missionary schools such as Healdtown High School and Bensonvale College.

The province is the location of the snow-skiing resort, Tiffindell, which lies in the slopes of the Southern Drakensberg.

The National Arts Festival, held annually in Grahamstown, is Africa’s largest and most colourful cultural event, offering a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talent.

For 11 days the town’s population almost doubles as more than 50 000 people flock to the Eastern Cape town for arts, crafts and entertainment.

The province is one of the poorest, largely due to the poverty found in the former homelands, where subsistence agriculture predominates.

Port Elizabeth and East London are two major industrial centres and home to the major assembly plants of Mercedes-Benz, General Motors and Volkswagen.