Lusikisiki

Lusikisiki is a town in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The name is onomatopoeic, derived from the rustling sound of reeds in the wind,^[2] named by the local Xhosa people. Lusikisiki is 45 kilometres (28 mi) inland from and north of Port St Johns. The town is positioned along the R61 (future N2 Wild Coast Toll Route) leading to Mthatha to the west and Port Shepstone to the north-east.

Lusikisiki
Main road of Lusikisiki Town.
Lusikisiki Show map of Eastern Cape Lusikisiki Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 31.368°S 29.576°E / -31.368; 29.576
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	O.R. Tambo
Municipality	Ingquza Hill
Area [1]
• Total	4.09 km2 (1.58 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	4,028
• Density	985/km2 (2,550/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	94.0%
• Coloured	1.9%
• Indian/Asian	1.8%
• White	0.7%
• Other	1.6%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Mpondo	81.3%
• English	8.3%
• Zulu	2.2%
• Other	8.2%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	4820
PO box	4820
Area code	039

An aerial view of Mboyti, a small settlement and coastal resort located in the neighborhood of Lusikisiki on the mouth of the Mbotyi River.

History

Pre-colonial era

In this era, the AmaMpondo King's kraal occupied what is now the present town village.

Colonial era

By 1894 European settlers started settling in Lusikisiki after Mpondoland was annexed by the Cape Colony and a magistrate took up residence there with a military camp established as well.^[3][4]

Apartheid era

In 1953 the South African Apartheid government made attempts to persuade the people of Lusikisiki to accept the rule of Bantu authorities which they had established. The government worked with Paramount Chief King Botha Sigcau to attempt to start a rehabilitation scheme in Pondoland.^[5] The scheme was presented to the Lusikisiki community but was rejected. A few days later, the police entered the area.^[6] A man called Mngqinga led a large local group to attack the police. This was later known as the Lusikisiki Revolt.

Climate

Lusikisiki receives high levels of rainfall, ranging between 874–1,060 mm (34–42 in) of rain per annum.^[7] Rainfall is considered unseasonal, although Lusikisiki receives the majority of its rainfall during summer.^[8] Winter temperatures reach their lowest in July, averaging 8 °C (46 °F) Celsius at night. The area lies within Forest and Indian Coastal Thicket biomes, and White Milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) are common.

Attractions around Lusikisiki

The Magwa Waterfall lies in the middle of the 1,800-hectare (4,400-acre) Magwa tea plantation, South Africa's last remaining tea estate just outside Lusikisiki. The curtain of the Magwa Waterfall falls 144 metres (472 ft) and drops into a narrow canyon.

Other points of interest include the Mkambati Nature Reserve which includes the Mzamba Fossil Beds estimated to be about 60 million years old, the Ntsubane Forest and Lupatana Nature Reserve.^[9]

Notable people

• Khotso Sethuntsa – Sangoma
• King Botha Sigcau – 1st president of the Bantustan of Transkei
• Princess Stella Sigcau – 1st female prime minister of the Bantustan of Transkei & South African national minister
• Prince Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau – traditional leader of Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council.

• Simphiwe Dana – musician
• Mpho Mbiyozo – rugby union player
• H.H.T.N Bubu - Minister of Education Republic of Transkei

Crime

As of 2021, Lusikisiki has ranked number 1 in South Africa in terms of the national crime rate; these crimes include domestic robbery and sexual harassment.^[10]

On September 28th 2024, two mass shootings took place in Lusikisiki, killing 18 people and injuring 5 others.^[11]

See also

• Mpofu Nature Reserve
• Pondoland