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Ezibeleni is a township in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was established in the 1960s and officially recognised in 1974, when black South Africans were not allowed to live, but only to work, in the white-dominated Queenstown. In order to pursue the policy of separate development, the apartheid-era government of the time dictated that, due to its location on the map and the predominant Xhosa ethnicity of its people, Ezibeleni would belong to Transkei, one of ten fragmented batustans, or homelands, scattered across South Africa.[2]
Ezibeleni | |
|---|---|
  Ezibeleni  Ezibeleni | |
| Coordinates: 31°54′S 26°58′E / 31.900°S 26.967°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Chris Hani |
| Municipality | Enoch Mgijima |
| Established | 1974 |
| Area | |
• Total | 32.09 km2 (12.39 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3,500 m (11,500 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 30,113 |
| • Density | 940/km2 (2,400/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 99.3% |
| • Coloured | 0.1% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.1% |
| • Other | 0.5% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Xhosa | 91.5% |
| • English | 4.5% |
| • Other | 4.0% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 5326 |
| PO box | 5326 |
| Area code | 047 |
Ezibeleni is the largest township in the Queenstown area. Its original name was Queensdale, named after Queenstown. It is divided into zones (1, 2, 3, Chancele & Themba), with the new units; known as Kwamabuyaze (RDP houses) which is still expanding.
Komani River flows near or through various towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, including Ezibeleni. The Great Fish River is a significant watercourse in the region, and its proximity to Ezibeleni have environmental and cultural importance for the local community.[3][4][5]
The majority of people resident in Ezibeleni live below the living wage according to government economic classifications.[6] There are about 12 schools in the area, 4 lower primary, 3 senior primary, 3 lower high and 2 senior high schools.[7]
The township is known for being a home to some of the best local and school music choirs in the country, Siyaphakama Adult Choir and Bulelani Senior Secondary School [8] to name but a few. Bulelani has represented Eastern Cape in the school's music competitions many times in the last 2 decades and has won many of the South African National School's Choir Competitions.[9]
There is a vibrant social life with many church denominations and other social activities.[10]
However, according to Statistics South Africa, the area still has a very high unemployment rate.[11]
Resources are limited. The Buffalo City Metro, according to a report by Cogta MEC Zolile Williams, has 17 fire trucks of which seven are operational. The municipality needs an additional five firetrucks.[12]
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d "Main Place Ezibeleni". Census 2011.
- ^ "Soft drinks earn hard cash". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "More infrastructure damage as severe weather wreaks havoc in Eastern Cape".
- ^ Isaac, Johnnie. "Eastern Cape floods: 'Government must intervene' - Komani residents counting the cost". News24. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ Sgqolana, Tembile (2023-02-08). "Floods displace more than 1,000 informal settlement residents in Komani". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "Parched Komani runs out of water". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "New Netflix film shot in Komani and Joburg". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "Bulelani Senior Secondary School". Archived from the original on 2007-09-03. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
- ^ "South African National School's Choir Competitions" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
- ^ "Service delivery protests turn violent at embattled Eastern Cape municipality". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ Bonani, Andisa (2020-02-26). "EMLM mayor hears Ezibeleni residents' service delivery woes - The Rep". Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "Critical vehicle shortages hobbling Eastern Cape firefighters". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-31.