Nqamakwe

Nqamakwe is a town in Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Nqamakwe
Nqamakwe Show map of Eastern Cape Nqamakwe Show map of South Africa Nqamakwe Show map of Africa
Coordinates: 32.2°S 27.933333°E / -32.2; 27.933333
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	Amathole
Municipality	Mnquma
Area [1]
• Total	1.47 km2 (0.57 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	1,558
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	94.7%
• Coloured	1.9%
• Indian/Asian	0.6%
• White	1.5%
• Other	1.2%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Xhosa	94.4%
• English	1.1%
• Other	4.6%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
PO box	4990
Area code	047

History

In 1865, a number of Mfengu clans were resettled in the area around Nqamakwe. As refugees from the Mfacane wars further north, they had relatively few links to their former rural tribal economy and, at a relatively early stage, came under the guidance of European missionaries. Realising the need for an education in the colonial economy they were now attempting to enter, they began, on their own initiative, to collect funds and to lay down the groundwork for the establishment of a technical training institute.

The village of Nqamakwe was established in 1876 as the seat of the new Government Agent to the amaMfengu, and the College was opened in 1877 on a site located a short distance outside Nqamakwe.^[2] It was named Blythswood in honour of Capt MT Blyth, the Government Agent to Fingoland.^[3]

Notable inhabitants

It is also birthplace of South African activists Govan Mbeki, Annie Silinga and Dora Tamana as well as the cardiologist and professor Bongani Mayosi.

References

1. "Main Place Nqamakwe". Census 2011.
2. Erasmus, B. P. J. (1995). On Route in South Africa. Internet Archive. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball Publishers. p. 205. ISBN 978-1-86842-026-1.
3. tinashe (16 March 2011). "Nqamakwe". www.sahistory.org.za.