Umtata - Eastern Cape South Africa

Umtata lies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Before the Voortrekker era, the Mthatha River was regarded as the boundary between the Tembu and Pando tribes who were amongst the earliest people in the area. The nearby Mthatha River is said to have received its name from the number of Thathe or Sneezewood trees, which flourish along its banks.

Umtata - Eastern Cape South Africa A notably treacherous river when it floods, another theory suggests that the name derives from the word thatha (taker), owing to the damage and fatalities caused by the flooding river. The Chiefs from both these tribes decided the only way to stop the incessant brawling between the two tribes was to create a ‘white buffer zone’. They allocated farms along the banks of the river to be rented out to the white settlers. The first person to acquire one of these farms was the Bishop H. Callaway who arrived as the first bishop of the Anglican Diocese in this area. He erected his headquarters, as well as a church, a school and a hospital. The Umtata township was laid out in 1879 and there is a handsome building, which is used for the parliament. The Umtata town hall is impressive and overlooks a superb garden.

Accommodation in Umtata

Amakhulu Central Reservations
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Accommodation in Umtata
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