East London
Encyclopedia
East London is a city on the southeast coast of South Africa, situated at 32.97°S and 27.87°E in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape
province. The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast, largely between the Buffalo River
and the Nahoon River
, and is the country's only river port. East London today has a population of over 400,000, with over 1.4 million in the metropolitan area.
During the early to mid-1800 frontier wars between the British settlers and the local Xhosa inhabitants, East London served as a supply port to service the military headquarters at nearby King William’s Town, about thirty miles away. A British fort, Fort Glamorgan, was built on the West Bank in 1847, and annexed to the Cape Colony
that same year. This fort was one of a series of forts the British built, that included Fort Murray, Fort White, Fort Hare and Fort Beaufort, in the border area that became known as British Kaffraria
.
With later development of the port came the settlement of permanent residents, including German settlers, most of whom were bachelors. These settlers were responsible for the German names of a number of towns in the vicinity of East London such as Stutterheim and Berlin. Today, German surnames such as Gehring, Salzwedel and Peinke are still common in East London, but the descendants of the settlers rapidly became anglicised.
The existing port, in the mouth of the Buffalo River, adjoining the Indian Ocean, has been operating since 1870. The advent of the railway on the east bank in 1876 added momentum to ongoing development of the area into today’s thriving city of East London.
The unusual double-decker bridge over the Buffalo River was completed in 1935 and to this day, is the only bridge of its type in South Africa. Modern day attractions include the East London Museum housing the coelacanth
, a prehistoric fish, thought to be extinct, discovered live at Chalumna Mouth near East London by fishermen in 1938, and numerous memorial statues. The city is well-known as a surfing mecca, and its beaches are among the best in the country.
In 1959, the Prince George Circuit
race circuit opened; it hosted three Formula One
South African Grand Prix
races in the 1960s.
In 1961, areas on either side of East London were declared Bantu homelands
. Ciskei
to the west and Transkei
to the East. East London finding herself almost surrounded, except to the north, became very unsettled during the Apartheid era. The editor of the local newspaper, the Daily Dispatch
, was the late Donald Woods
. This newspaper broke the story of the murder of Steve Biko
, a Pan Africanist leader and author of the book I Write What I Like
, at the hands of South African security police in Port Elizabeth, in September 1977. The story of Donald Woods was recorded in a Hollywood film called Cry Freedom
. A prominent statue of Steve Biko
now stands outside the East London City Hall.
The period of international sanctions which followed in the 1980s damaged the economy of East London's harbour. Enormous investment in recent years, by corporations such as Daimler Chrysler, has resulted in the harbour being developed to include a new car terminal.
In 2000, East London became part of the municipality of Buffalo City, also consisting of King William's Town
and Bhisho.
vehicles for the local market, as well as exporting to the United States. Other industries include clothing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing.
From the 1960s until 1994, the apartheid government created tax and wage incentives to attract industries in the then black "independent states", including nearby Ciskei
. Investment thus flowed into surrounding areas such as Fort Jackson and Dimbaza, leaving East London in relative isolation. The militant union activity of the time was not conducive to productivity or good labour relations. Infrastructure deteriorated and port activity wound down.
To encourage investment in East London, the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) has been established on the West Bank, close to both the port and airport. 1500ha of land has been made available, and the site is one of four duty-free development areas in South Africa.
East London has good transport links with the rest of South Africa. The N2
highway connecting Cape Town
and Durban
bypasses the city, while the N6 highway joins East London with the inland city of Bloemfontein
. East London Airport
, 10 km from the city centre, has daily flights to all major South African cities.
is very popular around East London as with South Africa as a whole. A combined Border/Eastern Province cricket side known as the Warriors
take part in the top provincial competition. The Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher
who currently holds the Test Record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper is from East London. Buffalo Park
Stadium in East London hosted a match from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 and 2 matches of the 2009 Indian Premier League
.
Triathlon
is a popular sport and in particular the world famous Ironman 70.3 South Africa event that takes place in January annually. Ironman 70.3
consists of 1.9km Swim, 90km Cycle and a 21.1lm Run. The event starts and finishes at Orient Beach
Club rugby
is popular in East London. The provincial team, the Border Bulldogs
, currently plays in the so-called First Division of the Currie Cup
competition. Most national games in East London are played at the Buffalo City Stadium
, which holds around 15000 people and was a host stadium during the 1995 Rugby World Cup
. East London schools have produced many fine rugby players, including (in recent times) André Vos
, Keith and Mark Andrews
, Christiaan Scholtz
, Brent Russell
, Rory Kockott
, Akona
and Odwa Ndungane
. South African flanker
Solly Tybilika is currently playing for the Border Bulldogs
.
Association football (soccer) is also very popular in the city. East London is home to Blackburn Rovers
, a football club competing in the National First Division
. The team plays at Buffalo City Stadium
.
Motocross
is also popular and many national events are held in the area surrounding East London, due to the terrain there and in Transkei
. East London is home to the ELMCC (East London Motor Cycle Club), which organises most of the motorcycle events in the area.
East London is home of the Prince George Circuit
(now renamed East London Grand Prix Circuit), a historic motor racing track that hosted the South African Grand Prix
during the 1930s and 1960s. The circuit is run and managed by Border Motor Sport Club on a shoestring budget. South Africa's only Formula One
World Drivers' Champion, Jody Scheckter
, started his motor racing career with a Renault Gordini on this track.
Golf is another favoured pastime in and around East London. Some of the more popular golf clubs are the West Bank Golf Club, Alexander Golf Club, Gonubie Golf Club, Red Bishop Golf Course, Fish River Sun (a Gary Player
-designed golf course), Bunkers Hill Driving Range and the East London Golf Club.
Martial arts are also very popular, with numerous clubs available for training in aikido
, judo
, karate
, t'ai chi and many other forms of martial arts. The East London Aikido Club is taught by a 3rd dan
local instructor who has trained under a number of international instructors in South Africa and overseas. Club members of the East London Aikido Club regularly represent their club at national aikido events. Fort Hare Karate and East London Goju Kai have also hosted many memorable events and training weekends.
Other sporting activities include boxing
, motor racing, soccer, mountain biking
, skydiving, athletics, horse riding and many water sports such as surfing
, swimming, scuba diving
, fishing, boating, yachting and windsurfing
.
The Buffalo Road Running Club of East London has created two established events that have gained international recognition. They are the Old Mutual Buffalo 42,2 km marathon, which is held February/March each year, and South Africa's oldest 160 km extreme ultra marathon, the Washie, over a picturesque and undulating coastal route from Port Alfred to the city.
Resorts include:
Yellowsands, Glen Eden, Gonubie, Queensbury Bay, Cintsa
West and Cintsa East.
and is the seat of that municipality.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
province. The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast, largely between the Buffalo River
Buffalo River (Eastern Cape)
The Buffalo River or Cwenqgcwe is situated in the city of East London on the East Coast of South Africa. It is to the west of the Nahoon River. It is the only navigable river in South Africa. The town of East London was thus established around it....
and the Nahoon River
Nahoon River
The Nahoon River is situated in the city East London on the East Coast of South Africa. It is to the east of the Buffalo river harbour, and is to the west of Gonubie River. The suburb of Nahoon is on its west bank and Beacon Bay is on the east bank. The Nahoon Dam supplies some of the water for...
, and is the country's only river port. East London today has a population of over 400,000, with over 1.4 million in the metropolitan area.
History
The city formed around the only river port in South Africa and was originally known as Port Rex. This settlement on the West Bank was the nucleus of the town of East London, which is also known as Slummies, was later elevated to city status in 1914.During the early to mid-1800 frontier wars between the British settlers and the local Xhosa inhabitants, East London served as a supply port to service the military headquarters at nearby King William’s Town, about thirty miles away. A British fort, Fort Glamorgan, was built on the West Bank in 1847, and annexed to the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
that same year. This fort was one of a series of forts the British built, that included Fort Murray, Fort White, Fort Hare and Fort Beaufort, in the border area that became known as British Kaffraria
British Kaffraria
British Kaffraria was a British colony/subordinate administrative entity in present-day South Africa, consisting of the districts now known as King Williams Town and East London.The term Kaffraria stems from the word "Kaffir"...
.
With later development of the port came the settlement of permanent residents, including German settlers, most of whom were bachelors. These settlers were responsible for the German names of a number of towns in the vicinity of East London such as Stutterheim and Berlin. Today, German surnames such as Gehring, Salzwedel and Peinke are still common in East London, but the descendants of the settlers rapidly became anglicised.
The existing port, in the mouth of the Buffalo River, adjoining the Indian Ocean, has been operating since 1870. The advent of the railway on the east bank in 1876 added momentum to ongoing development of the area into today’s thriving city of East London.
The unusual double-decker bridge over the Buffalo River was completed in 1935 and to this day, is the only bridge of its type in South Africa. Modern day attractions include the East London Museum housing the coelacanth
Coelacanth
Coelacanths are members of an order of fish that includes the oldest living lineage of Sarcopterygii known to date....
, a prehistoric fish, thought to be extinct, discovered live at Chalumna Mouth near East London by fishermen in 1938, and numerous memorial statues. The city is well-known as a surfing mecca, and its beaches are among the best in the country.
In 1959, the Prince George Circuit
Prince George Circuit
Prince George Circuit is a race circuit in East London in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.Opened in the 1930s, it hosted the South African Grand Prix in 1934, and 1936 to 1939 when racing was halted due to World War II. Modified to meet Formula One regulations in 1959, the track was built into...
race circuit opened; it hosted three Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
South African Grand Prix
South African Grand Prix
The South African Grand Prix was first run as a Grand Prix motor racing handicap race in 1934 at the Prince George Circuit at East London, Eastern Cape Province...
races in the 1960s.
In 1961, areas on either side of East London were declared Bantu homelands
Bantustan
A bantustan was a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South West Africa , as part of the policy of apartheid...
. Ciskei
Ciskei
Ciskei was a Bantustan in the south east of South Africa. It covered an area of 2,970 square miles , almost entirely surrounded by what was then the Cape Province, and possessed a small coastline along the shore of the Indian Ocean....
to the west and Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
to the East. East London finding herself almost surrounded, except to the north, became very unsettled during the Apartheid era. The editor of the local newspaper, the Daily Dispatch
Daily Dispatch
Daily Dispatch is a South African newspaper published inEast London in the province of Eastern Cape.Founded in 1872 as East London Dispatch, the Dispatch is today the Eastern Cape'sbest selling daily with a circulation of about 33,000 copies....
, was the late Donald Woods
Donald Woods
Donald James Woods, CBE was a white South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist.As editor of the Daily Dispatch from 1965 to 1977, he befriended Steve Biko, leader of the anti-apartheid Black Consciousness Movement, and was banned by the government soon after Biko's death, which had been...
. This newspaper broke the story of the murder of Steve Biko
Steve Biko
Stephen Biko was a noted anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the...
, a Pan Africanist leader and author of the book I Write What I Like
I Write What I Like
I Write What I Like is a compilation of writings from anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko....
, at the hands of South African security police in Port Elizabeth, in September 1977. The story of Donald Woods was recorded in a Hollywood film called Cry Freedom
Cry Freedom
Cry Freedom is a 1987 British drama film directed by Richard Attenborough, set in the late 1970s, during the apartheid era of South Africa. It was written from a screenplay by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods...
. A prominent statue of Steve Biko
Steve Biko
Stephen Biko was a noted anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the...
now stands outside the East London City Hall.
The period of international sanctions which followed in the 1980s damaged the economy of East London's harbour. Enormous investment in recent years, by corporations such as Daimler Chrysler, has resulted in the harbour being developed to include a new car terminal.
In 2000, East London became part of the municipality of Buffalo City, also consisting of King William's Town
King William's Town
King William's Town is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa along the banks of the Buffalo River. The town is about 40 minutes' motorway drive WNW of the Indian Ocean port of East London...
and Bhisho.
Economy
East London is the second largest industrial centre in the province. The motor industry is the dominant employer. A major Daimler plant is located near the harbour, manufacturing Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
vehicles for the local market, as well as exporting to the United States. Other industries include clothing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing.
From the 1960s until 1994, the apartheid government created tax and wage incentives to attract industries in the then black "independent states", including nearby Ciskei
Ciskei
Ciskei was a Bantustan in the south east of South Africa. It covered an area of 2,970 square miles , almost entirely surrounded by what was then the Cape Province, and possessed a small coastline along the shore of the Indian Ocean....
. Investment thus flowed into surrounding areas such as Fort Jackson and Dimbaza, leaving East London in relative isolation. The militant union activity of the time was not conducive to productivity or good labour relations. Infrastructure deteriorated and port activity wound down.
To encourage investment in East London, the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) has been established on the West Bank, close to both the port and airport. 1500ha of land has been made available, and the site is one of four duty-free development areas in South Africa.
East London has good transport links with the rest of South Africa. The N2
N2 (South Africa)
The N2 is a National Route in South Africa; it is the main highway along the Indian Ocean coast of the country. The N2 starts in Cape Town in the Western Cape and runs through the cities of Port Elizabeth and East London in the Eastern Cape and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal to end at Ermelo in...
highway connecting Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
bypasses the city, while the N6 highway joins East London with the inland city of Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
. East London Airport
East London Airport
East London Airport is located in East London, South Africa.East London's airport is a small but bustling one that plays an important role in the growing economy of the Eastern Cape....
, 10 km from the city centre, has daily flights to all major South African cities.
Sports
CricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
is very popular around East London as with South Africa as a whole. A combined Border/Eastern Province cricket side known as the Warriors
Warriors cricket team
The Chevrolet Warriors is the name used by the combined Eastern Province and Border first class cricket teams in South Africa. The home venues of the Warriors are St George's Park, Port Elizabeth and Buffalo Park, East London....
take part in the top provincial competition. The Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher
Mark Boucher
Mark Verdon Boucher is a South African cricketer, who holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper. He was educated at Selborne College and has represented Border, Africa XI, ICC World XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders of the Indian Premier League, and...
who currently holds the Test Record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper is from East London. Buffalo Park
Buffalo Park
Buffalo Park is a cricket ground in East London, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It is one of the home grounds for the Warriors cricket team. It can hold up to 20,000.It has hosted one Test match, in 2002 and hosted a number of One Day Internationals....
Stadium in East London hosted a match from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 and 2 matches of the 2009 Indian Premier League
2009 Indian Premier League
The 2009 Indian Premier League season, abbreviated as IPL 2 or the 2009 IPL, was the second season of the Indian Premier League, established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2007. The tournament was hosted by South Africa and was played between 18 April and 24 May 2009...
.
Triathlon
Triathlon
A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...
is a popular sport and in particular the world famous Ironman 70.3 South Africa event that takes place in January annually. Ironman 70.3
Ironman 70.3
An Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is one of a series of middle-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation . The "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles covered in the race, consisting of a swim, a bike ride, and a run...
consists of 1.9km Swim, 90km Cycle and a 21.1lm Run. The event starts and finishes at Orient Beach
Club rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
is popular in East London. The provincial team, the Border Bulldogs
Border Bulldogs
The Border Bulldogs are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Border Rugby Union and are based in East London....
, currently plays in the so-called First Division of the Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
competition. Most national games in East London are played at the Buffalo City Stadium
Buffalo City Stadium
Buffalo City Stadium is a multi-use stadium in East London, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for Rugby Union matches and is the home stadium of Border Bulldogs...
, which holds around 15000 people and was a host stadium during the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
. East London schools have produced many fine rugby players, including (in recent times) André Vos
André Vos
André Neal Vos is a former South African rugby union player who played as back row for Eastern Province , Queensland Reds , The Cats , The Lions and Harlequins until his retirement in 2007.He also captained the Springboks.André Vos graduated from Selborne College in East London, South Africa in...
, Keith and Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews (rugby player)
Mark Andrews is a former rugby player.He achieved his Junior Springbok colours in waterpolo while still at school. He switched to rugby as his main sport and achieved honours while at school and university...
, Christiaan Scholtz
Christiaan Scholtz
Christiaan Petrus Scholtz is a former South African rugby union player, who played centre and won four caps between 1994 and 1995 playing for the South Africa national rugby union team....
, Brent Russell
Brent Russell
Robert Brent Russell is a South African rugby union player. He is a "utility back" who plays for Clermont in the French Top 14. Previously, he had played with Saracens in England, and before that the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and the Sharks in the Super 14 for many years...
, Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott born 25 June 1986 in East London, South Africa is a rugby union player and attended Selborne College. He currently plays for Castres Olympique after signing from the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a scrumhalf.-External links:*...
, Akona
Akona Ndungane
Akona Zilindlovu Ndungane is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is on the wing, though he can play in the centres. He plays for the Bulls in the international Super 14 competition as well as the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup...
and Odwa Ndungane
Odwa Ndungane
Odwa Ndungane is a rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. He plays on the wing....
. South African flanker
Flanker (rugby union)
A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards...
Solly Tybilika is currently playing for the Border Bulldogs
Border Bulldogs
The Border Bulldogs are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Border Rugby Union and are based in East London....
.
Association football (soccer) is also very popular in the city. East London is home to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers FC (South Africa)
Blackburn Rovers are a South African football club from East London, Eastern Cape who play in the National First Division.In 2010 they gained promotion to the National First Division after winning the Vodacom League Eastern Cape League and finishing the season as the division's overall runner-up....
, a football club competing in the National First Division
National First Division
The National First Division is the second-highest league of South African club football after the Premier Soccer League . Both the NFD and PSL are organised by the National Soccer League.-For seasons in 2007-11:...
. The team plays at Buffalo City Stadium
Buffalo City Stadium
Buffalo City Stadium is a multi-use stadium in East London, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for Rugby Union matches and is the home stadium of Border Bulldogs...
.
Motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
is also popular and many national events are held in the area surrounding East London, due to the terrain there and in Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
. East London is home to the ELMCC (East London Motor Cycle Club), which organises most of the motorcycle events in the area.
East London is home of the Prince George Circuit
Prince George Circuit
Prince George Circuit is a race circuit in East London in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.Opened in the 1930s, it hosted the South African Grand Prix in 1934, and 1936 to 1939 when racing was halted due to World War II. Modified to meet Formula One regulations in 1959, the track was built into...
(now renamed East London Grand Prix Circuit), a historic motor racing track that hosted the South African Grand Prix
South African Grand Prix
The South African Grand Prix was first run as a Grand Prix motor racing handicap race in 1934 at the Prince George Circuit at East London, Eastern Cape Province...
during the 1930s and 1960s. The circuit is run and managed by Border Motor Sport Club on a shoestring budget. South Africa's only Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
World Drivers' Champion, Jody Scheckter
Jody Scheckter
Jody David Scheckter is a South African former auto racing driver, the Formula One World Drivers Champion.-Career:Scheckter was born in East London, South Africa and educated at Selborne College.-Formula One:...
, started his motor racing career with a Renault Gordini on this track.
Golf is another favoured pastime in and around East London. Some of the more popular golf clubs are the West Bank Golf Club, Alexander Golf Club, Gonubie Golf Club, Red Bishop Golf Course, Fish River Sun (a Gary Player
Gary Player
Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
-designed golf course), Bunkers Hill Driving Range and the East London Golf Club.
Martial arts are also very popular, with numerous clubs available for training in aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, t'ai chi and many other forms of martial arts. The East London Aikido Club is taught by a 3rd dan
Dan (rank)
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
local instructor who has trained under a number of international instructors in South Africa and overseas. Club members of the East London Aikido Club regularly represent their club at national aikido events. Fort Hare Karate and East London Goju Kai have also hosted many memorable events and training weekends.
Other sporting activities include boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, motor racing, soccer, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, skydiving, athletics, horse riding and many water sports such as surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, swimming, scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
, fishing, boating, yachting and windsurfing
Windsurfing
Windsurfing or sailboarding is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually two to four metres long, powered by the orthogonal effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a...
.
The Buffalo Road Running Club of East London has created two established events that have gained international recognition. They are the Old Mutual Buffalo 42,2 km marathon, which is held February/March each year, and South Africa's oldest 160 km extreme ultra marathon, the Washie, over a picturesque and undulating coastal route from Port Alfred to the city.
Tourism
East London's tourism industry has grown greatly over the past few years. The City is being marketed as Buffalo City though, causing many to be confused. Apart from this obstacle local businesses are thriving, with a great deal of investment in the area, drawing visitors from around the world. East London is relatively small so there are only a few hotels, making a perfect gap in the market for bed & breakfasts to offer accommodation.Resorts include:
Yellowsands, Glen Eden, Gonubie, Queensbury Bay, Cintsa
Cintsa
Chintsa is a village in the Wild Coast region of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. It is situated 38 km north-east from East London, at the mouth of the Cintsa river. There are two resort areas catering to tourists interested in sea fishing to the east and west of the river. The...
West and Cintsa East.
Attractions
- East London Aquarium
- East London Zoo
- East London Museum
- Inkwenkwezi Private Game ReserveInkwenkwezi Private Game ReserveInkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, is located approximately 30 km north-east of East London, and is situated within an area of 100 km² encompassing five different biomes in the wild coast region of South Africa's Eastern Cape province...
- Mpongo Private Game Reserve
Geography and climate
Governance
East London forms a constituent part of the Buffalo City Local MunicipalityBuffalo City Local Municipality
Buffalo City is a metropolitan municipality situated on the east coast of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It includes the towns of East London, Bhisho and King William's Town, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane and Zwelitsha....
and is the seat of that municipality.
Famous people
- Mark AndrewsMark Andrews (rugby player)Mark Andrews is a former rugby player.He achieved his Junior Springbok colours in waterpolo while still at school. He switched to rugby as his main sport and achieved honours while at school and university...
– Rugby player - Wendy BothaWendy BothaWendy Botha is a four-time world surfing champion. She won her first title as a South African citizen in 1987, then she became an Australian citizen and won three more titles in 1989, 1991, and 1992). She also posed nude for Australian Playboy for the September issue of 1992...
– Four-time world surfing champion - Mark BoucherMark BoucherMark Verdon Boucher is a South African cricketer, who holds the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicket-keeper. He was educated at Selborne College and has represented Border, Africa XI, ICC World XI, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders of the Indian Premier League, and...
– International cricketer - Vuyani BunguVuyani BunguVuyani Bungu was a professional boxer. Known as "Carousel Kid" or "The Beast", Bungu was a force in the super bantamweight division throughout the 1990s.-Professional career:...
– Boxer - Norman CatherineNorman CatherineNorman Catherine in East London, South Africa is a South African artist whose œuvre spans painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media...
– Artist - Marjorie Courtenay-LatimerMarjorie Courtenay-LatimerMarjorie faree Doris Courtenay-Latimer was the South African museum official who in 1938 brought to the attention of the world the existence of the coelacanth, a fish thought to have been extinct for sixty-five million years....
– Museum curator - The DealiansThe DealiansThe Dealians were a pop group formed in East London, South Africa in January 1968 by Mike Fuller. The group took its name from the local Deal's Hotel where the group performed....
– South Africa's top pop group in the 1970s - Joan HarrisonJoan Harrison (swimmer)Joan Harrison is a South African swimmer and Olympic champion. She competed at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, where she won the gold medal in the women's 100 m backstroke event.-Awards:...
– Swimmer and 1952 Olympic champion - Rory KockottRory KockottRory Kockott born 25 June 1986 in East London, South Africa is a rugby union player and attended Selborne College. He currently plays for Castres Olympique after signing from the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a scrumhalf.-External links:*...
– Rugby player - Welcome NcitaWelcome NcitaWelcome Ncita was a professional boxer and IBF Super Bantamweight Champion. Ncita was born in Mdantsane, South Africa.Known as "The Hawk", Ncita turned professional in 1984 and in 1994 captured the International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight Title with a victory over Fabrice Benichou in a...
– Boxer - Ian ScheckterIan ScheckterIan Scheckter is a former racing driver. He participated in 20 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on March 30, 1974...
– Racing driver - Jody ScheckterJody ScheckterJody David Scheckter is a South African former auto racing driver, the Formula One World Drivers Champion.-Career:Scheckter was born in East London, South Africa and educated at Selborne College.-Formula One:...
– Formula 1 champion 1979 - Jonty SkinnerJonty SkinnerJohn Alexander Skinner and matriculated from Selborne College in East London, is a former South African swimmer turned national American swim coach.- Swimming career :...
– Swimmer and US swimming coach - Wayne TaylorWayne TaylorWayne Taylor is a South African sports car racer. He won the 1996 and 2005 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 2005 Rolex Series. He co-drives for SunTrust Racing with Max Angelelli...
– Racing driver - André VosAndré VosAndré Neal Vos is a former South African rugby union player who played as back row for Eastern Province , Queensland Reds , The Cats , The Lions and Harlequins until his retirement in 2007.He also captained the Springboks.André Vos graduated from Selborne College in East London, South Africa in...
– Rugby player - Donald WoodsDonald WoodsDonald James Woods, CBE was a white South African journalist and anti-apartheid activist.As editor of the Daily Dispatch from 1965 to 1977, he befriended Steve Biko, leader of the anti-apartheid Black Consciousness Movement, and was banned by the government soon after Biko's death, which had been...
– Author and anti-apartheid activist - Steve PalframanSteve PalframanSteven John Palframan is a former South African cricketer who played seven One Day Internationals in 1996. He was a wicket keeper. He also played in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.-References:*...
- cricketer
External links
- East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Official website of Buffalo City
- Official website of the East London Industrial Zone
- Border-Kei Chamber of Business Website
- A real estate agency's description of East London's history and amenities
- East London Museum
- Official website of Ironman 70.3 South Africa