Eastern Cape
Province in South Africa / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Eastern Cape is one of the provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are East London and Gqeberha.
Eastern Cape
| |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
| Motto: Development through Unity | |
 Location of the Eastern Cape in South Africa | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Established | 27 April 1994 |
| Capital | Bhisho |
| Largest city | Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) |
| Districts | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Parliamentary system |
| • Premier | Oscar Mabuyane (ANC) |
| • Legislature | Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature |
| Area [1]: 9 | |
| • Total | 168,966 km2 (65,238 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 2nd in South Africa |
| Highest elevation | 3,019 m (9,905 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 6,562,053 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 6,676,691 |
| • Rank | 4th in South Africa |
| • Density | 39/km2 (100/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 6th in South Africa |
| Population groups [1]: 21 | |
| • Black | 86.3% |
| • Coloured | 8.3% |
| • White | 4.7% |
| • Indian or Asian | 0.4% |
| Languages [1]: 25 | |
| • Xhosa | 78.8% |
| • Afrikaans | 10.6% |
| • English | 5.6% |
| • Sotho | 2.5% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| ISO 3166 code | ZA-EC |
| HDI (2019) | 0.671[3] medium · 9th of 9 |
| Website | www.ecprov.gov.za |
| Xhosa | iMpuma-Koloni |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Oos-Kaap |
The second largest province in the country (at 168,966 km2) after Northern Cape, it was formed in 1994 out of the Xhosa homelands or bantustans of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province. The central and eastern part of the province is the traditional home of the indigenous Xhosa people. In 1820 this area which was known as the Xhosa Kingdom began to be settled by Europeans who originally came from England and some from Scotland and Ireland.
Since South Africa's early years, many Xhosas believed in Africanism and figures such as Walter Rubusana believed that the rights of Xhosa people and Africans in general, could not be protected unless Africans mobilized and worked together. As a result, the Eastern Cape is home to many anti-apartheid leaders such as Robert Sobukwe, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Winnie Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Alfred Xuma, Cecilia Makiwane, Noni Jabavu among others. It is also home the then young Thabo Mbeki, Chris Hani, Bantu Holomisa, Steve Biko, musicians Miriam Makeba, Madosini, Nathi, Vusi Nova and Zahara as well as historical figures such as Rev. Tiyo Soga, Samuel Mqhayi, Mongezi Sifika wa Nkomo, Enoch Sontonga and Jotello Festiri Soga.