The Eastern Cape is a much-frequented holiday destination, with its stunning unspoilt beaches, safe warm bathing and spectacular scenery. Malaria-free game parks such as the Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari feature the Big Five and a wide range of outdoor activities and sports. There are accommodation choices to suit all budgets and destinations to suit all tastes.
Hikers can take advantage of the Tsitsikamma’s legendary Otter Trail and beach bums have the fabulous Jeffrey’s Bay — renowned the world over for its excellent surfing.
Towns like Grahamstown — home of the annual National Arts Festival — and Graaff-Reinet are steeped in history and tradition. But for culture vultures, perhaps the best option is the Eastern Cape’s unsung hero — Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth is fast becoming the pride of the Eastern Cape, with its rich legacy that saw the first meetings of Khoisan, British, Dutch, German and Xhosa peoples.
Port Elizabeth was the landing place of the 1820 Settlers and boasts some of the finest architectural attractions in South Africa.
The city is also fast becoming a cultural venue, boasting theatres, museums and art galleries that provide an insight into the past and present.
Art venues include the King George VI, EPSAC and Cuyler Street galleries, while a unique South African aviation art gallery has also recently opened, singled out as one of the finest of its kind in the world.
Theatrical productions are staged at a number of venues, including the Opera House (a fine example of a Victorian theatre and the only one still in use in South Africa), and the beautifully refurbished Feather Market Centre.
The latter, heart of auction sales and trade in ostrich feather, wool, hide and fruit during the last century, has been refurbished and converted into an outstanding concert hall and conference centre.
Historical rambles trace the colourful early decades of the European colonisation of the Eastern Cape. The well laid-out Donkin Heritage Trail links numerous places of historical interest in the central city area.
The history and elegant lifestyle of the Victorian era is preserved at No 7 Castle Hill Museum, the oldest surviving Settler cottage dwelling in Nelson Mandela Bay. The colonial City Hall is a national monument, while the main public library is an excellent example of Victorian architecture.
Various memorials are situated throughout the city environs, and social, historical and traditional township tours are available.
It is in this region that the visitor is fully exposed to the cultural heritage of the Xhosa nation, and several quality crafting and cultural experiences can be found here. The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has embarked on a broad range of projects in support of the country’s Cultural Industries Growth Strategy, which seeks to promote economic development of communities. Participation is encouraged in a number of economic sectors such as painting, sculpture, public arts, traditional ware and clothing, fashion and graphic arts, film and TV, photography, video and broadcasting, books, magazines, newspapers, tournaments, festivals, theatre, dance, music, heritage sites, commemorations and museums.
In addition, communities and cultural groups are assisted in organisational development, such as the formation of cooperatives, the development of business plans for presentation to financial and development agencies, product development, quality control, pricing and marketing of goods.
For more information call (043) 701 9600 or visit www.ectourism.co.za.
What to see in PE
The colonial City Hall, built between 1858 and 1862. The clock tower was added in 1883. It was proclaimed a national monument in 1973.
A replica of the Diaz Cross, donated by the Portuguese government to commemorate the arrival of Bartholomew Diaz in Algoa Bay in 1488.
The Prester John Memorial, unveiled in 1986 and dedicated to the mythical king-priest, Prester John, and the Portuguese explorers who discovered South Africa.
The Main Public Library, built in 1835. It was used as a courthouse from 1854 to 1902. The Sicilian marble statue of Queen Victoria, at the library entrance, was erected and unveiled in 1903.
Erected to commemorate the landing of the 1820 British Settlers, the Campanile is situated at the entrance to the railway station and harbour. The 53,5m Campanile contains a chiming clock and the largest carillon of bells in the country.
The Donkin Reserve, which includes a stone pyramid monument erected by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his wife, Elizabeth, after whom the city was named. The Lighthouse, built in 1861, also houses the city’s Tourist Information Centre.
Fort Frederick, a 1799 stone fort built by the British forces to defend the mouth of the Baakens river.
The Horse Memorial, erected and dedicated to the horses killed during the Anglo-Boer South African War (1899 to 1902).
Mendi Memorial, erected in memory of the servicemen who lost their lives at sea when the troopship SS Mendi foundered near St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wright.
Red Location, a black settlement of mostly tin shanties, a trademark of the area. The name originated from the red tin roofs of the buildings.
Van der Kemps Kloof Memorial has the first church built in 1803 by Dr Johannes Theodosuis van der Kemp.
The Piet Retief Memorial, built to celebrate the centenary of the Great Trek.