Tsomo

Tsomo is a town in Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town is 45 km east of Qamata and 48 km west of Ndabakazi.

Tsomo
Tsomo Show map of Eastern Cape Tsomo Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 32.03794°S 27.81689°E / -32.03794; 27.81689
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	Chris Hani
Municipality	Intsika Yethu
Established	1877
Area [1]
• Total	3.72 km2 (1.44 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	2,108
• Density	570/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	94.8%
• Coloured	2.1%
• Indian/Asian	1.7%
• White	1.3%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Xhosa	88.7%
• English	3.1%
• Afrikaans	1.1%
• Other	7.0%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
PO box	5400
Area code	047

History

Founded in 1877, it originated as a military station known as Tsomo Post.^[2] The name is derived from that of the Tsomo River, on which it is situated, which in turn is said to be named after a Xhosa chief who lived where the bridge now stands.^[2]

Tsomo was originally included in the Transkei territory of Fingoland (Mfenguland) however after the annexation by the British Fingoland was further divided into Butterworth, Tsomo and Nqamakwe.^[3]

Notable people

• Vuyisile Mini
• Albertina Sisulu
• Brenda Ngxoli
• Hammer Gcingca
• Andile Lungisa
• Burning Ntlemeza