Explore the Culture Fax: Vulture Nelson Mandela Bay’s rich cultural heritage By the middle of the 18th century, the number e-mail: guarantees history lovers a unique insight of ships passing the “Bay” had increased and Telephone: into the Eastern Cape’s and the Municipality’s occasionally survivors of the shipwrecks were Route! diverse and remarkable past. given hospitality by Dutch Trekboers (farmers) [email protected] www.nmbt.co.za who had trekked from the Cape in search of Website address: + (27) 41 582 2575 + (27) 41 582 2573 The nomadic San were the earliest group of good farmland. At the end of 1799 the English, Blue Flag Beaches indigenous people known to live in the Eastern fearing that the French would render military Cape. The Khoi displaced the San into the assistance to the Graaff-Reinet rebels, decided mountains and semi-desert, early in the second to construct Fort Frederick, overlooking the millennium AD. The forefathers of the Xhosa mouth of the Baakens River as a permanent Tourism Information Office speaking people arrived on the banks of the military post. Kei River in about 800 AD. 4 000 British settlers arrived by sea in 1820, to While on his epic voyage of discovery searching become the first permanent British residents in for a sea route to the East, the Portuguese, the Albany District. On 6 June 1820, Sir Rufane Bartolomeu Dias, rounded the “Cabo da Roca” Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony in February 1488 and entered “Baia da Roca” – at the time, named the new sea port in memory Cape and Bay of the Rock (now Cape Recife of his late wife, Elizabeth. and Algoa Bay). Dias also gave the name “Ilheus Chaos” (Flat Islands) to the Bird Islands. Before the up-country gold and diamond In 1497, Vasco da Gama, successor to Dias, booms, PE developed as one of the major entered Algoa Bay and noted the Bird Islands commercial cities in SA, trading in wool, mohair on his voyage to India. His charts gave Cape and ostrich feathers. As a result, the harbour Recife it’s name – “Cabo do Arricife” – Cape became a bustling port. People traveled to the of the Reef. The “Bay” was later named “Baia city in search of trade and labour opportunities. 2 de Lagoa”, by navigator and cartographer Early Port Elizabeth was characterized by the Manuel de Mesquita Perestrelo in 1576, which settlement of European, Cape Malay and OVERVIEW MAP BAY NELSON MANDELA referred to the lagoon situated at the mouth of immigrant communities. The diverse community the Baakens River. lived together according to economic and 3 social status, rather than on an ethnic basis. Some folk were already residing in New Brighton 4 since 1903. However, when the Group Areas Act was legislated in 1960, this resulted in forced 5 relocation under the “apartheid law” among the non-white population and the so-called 6 townships came into being. 1 11 9 7 10 8 PE 24 21 Airport 12 23 22 13 17 14 15 19 18 16 20 "Ikhaya lenkululeko - The home of the Spirit of freedom." www.nmbt.co.za boutiques, small suburban complexes, craft markets and massive all-encompassing city malls. Speciality stores are conveniently scattered throughout the city and include TOWNSHIP VIBE specialist foods and wine; jewellery shops, gifts and clothing, antique, spice, coffee, attractive momentoes and souvenirs. Taverns (informal drinking halls) were once ‘illegal’ because they were not licensed for the sale of liquor, but have now legally become a lively cross between social 25 clubs, a bar and a general meeting place. A Tavern tour TOURIST INFO & BOOKINGS offers an entertaining 3 – 4 hours through the life and soul ARTS & CRAFTS of the “Townships”. Taverns come alive over weekends when hard work is replaced by beer and laughter. These OPEN-AIR FLEA MARKETS venues are found on every street corner and add to the atmosphere of Township life. Amid hooting taxis and On the first and last Sunday of each month, St. George’s eager pedestrians, the Tavern offers an informal venue Park comes alive with Art in the Park, (tel: 041 360 9754), where patrons can relax. an open-air exhibition of craft stalls and home-craft Visitors to Nelson Mandela Bay can choose from a wide variety of where stallholders sell their wares. Some well-frequented Shebeens include the Visitors wishing to browse around a local flea accommodation facilities which are available in the area. Whether your following: market along the beachfront during a weekend preference is a luxury hotel or a five star game lodge, a guest house, bed & can view the wares of the Beachfront Traders, breakfast or backpacker, Nelson Mandela Bay offers excellent and exciting • Las Vegas Tavern, KwaZakhele, (Cell: 083 415 6144 Johan Gerber) which extends 26 tel: 041 464 0844 / 083 562 4965 along the promenade between King’s Beach and the possibilities. For enquiries or bookings contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s Call • Kwe Kwe’s Sports Tavern, 536 Njoli Street, McArthur’s Baths. 27 Centre via [email protected] or call 041 582 2575. KwaZakhele, tel: 041 466 2336 / 28 cell: 083 741 7602 The Lady Slipper Market has fresh fruit and vegetables, • Patido’s Pub & Grub, 27 Jabavu Street, eggs, milk and other farm produce on sale. They are NELSON MANDELA BAY TOURISM - VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES: New Brighton, tel: 041 454 0663 situated next to St Albans Prison on the corner of Old cell: 082 968 0540 Cape and Rocklands Roads. Contact: 082 727 3252 Airport Visitor Info Centre: +27 0(41) 581 0456/7 • Jeya’s Jazz Corner Tavern, Sheya Kulati (Denise) Circle, Cnr Ferguson & Avenue A, Boardwalk Visitor Info Centre: +27 0(41) 583 2030 New Brighton, tel: 041 454 7567 / Arts & Craft Outlets Donkin Visitor Info Centre: +27 0(41) 585 8884 cell: 072 555 2582 • FG’s Tavern, 216 Mkhombe Street, NU1 33 Uitenhage Visitor Info Centre: +27 0(41) 922 5214 • Boardwalk Craft Workshop, Boardwalk Motherwell, tel: 041 469 4190 / Complex, Marine Drive, tel: 041 583 1152 34 Website: www.nmbt.co.za cell: 083 690 9858 • Aya’s Ceramic Studio, 90 Gunguluza Street, 32 29 E-Mail: [email protected] • Kwa Lunga-General Jazz Place, 11 Nhose New Brighton, tel: 041 454 3350 31 Street, Zwide, tel: 041 459 1993 • Momento’s of Africa, PE Airport, Allister Miller 30 Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism is a booking agent for South African National Parks • Billy’s Tavern, 4 Peta Street, KwaNobuhle, Road, tel: 041 507 7214 35 Uitenhage, cell: 073 334 7654 • Wezandla Gallery & Craft Centre, 27 Baakens • Emzini Restaurant, 38 Yoyo Street, Zwide, Street, Central, tel: 041 585 1185 Safety tips: cell: 073 912 1782 • African Creations, No. 4 Third Avenue, • Tourists should take the sensible precautions they would17 in any major city. • Zwai’s Tavern, Motherwell, Walmer, tel: 041 581 8204 • Avoid carrying large sums of cash and other valuables (cameras, video cameras, etc.). tel: 041 462 1110 / cell: 076 024 3977 • Jade, Adel Centre, 10 Newton Street, • Mavela Tavern, 22 Qhogi Street, Zwide, • Avoid leaving belongings unattended. Newton Park, tel: 041 363 8323 tel: 041 464 2716 • Art in the Park, St. George’s Park, • Be alert and vigilant at all times. tel: 041 360 9754 • Take special precautions in secluded areas (including parks and gardens and walks / trails), POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL TOWNSHIP TOURS • Bead Shop, 69a 4th Avenue, Newton Park, especially at dusk and after dark. tel: 041 365 6780 Visitors who wish to explore South Africa’s politics and • Street children and beggars may approach you for a handout – Social workers counsel against history, may opt for a number of organised social, history ENTERTAINMENT VENUES giving money. and traditional township tours. These tours unveil how • Try and walk around in groups; there is safety in numbers. history evolved, encompassing diverse peoples and Regular concerts, musicals and operettas and cultures and including a visit to the historical townships • At night, park in a secure, well-lit area. productions by various artists and theatre groups are demonstrating the impact of the apartheid era on the staged at major venues. Alternative performances • Be aware that uniformed parking attendants will offer to safeguard one’s car for a tip (small fee). city. In the townships one will see what limitations applied are staged at some of the smaller and more • Do not leave valuable belongings in your car; rather lock everything in the boot where they are out in the past and how people resisted and adapted. intimate secondary venues. See the local press for of sight. Township life first-hand may be a thought-provoking more detailed information, including dates, times experience, but visitors are likely to experience a current and rates of shows. Bookings may be made via • For any emergency, dial 10111 spirit of optimism. For marketers and planners, this is the Computicket Call Centre, tel: 041 586 3177, where the future of South Africa will be shaped. Various www.computicket.com. For all events and venues visit accredited tour operators offer social history / township our website www.nmbt.co.za or call 041 582 2575. tours and taverns tours. The Red Location Museum of Struggle is a must-see on any visitor’s itinerary. The museum, which was opened in November 2006, commemorates South Africa’s turbulent apartheid history and long struggle for freedom. Several prestigious awards have been bestowed on the museum for its magnificent architecture. The museum is situated in the historical Red Location, the city’s first black township, where the first urban black families settled in the 1900s.