Umtata (or Mthatha) was founded in 1879 and was once the capital of the former Transkei homeland (Bantustan) for the Xhosa nation, in South Africa. But today, the Transkei, including Umtata, forms part of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Umtata is now just one of the largest rural towns in the Eastern Cape, with Bisho as the capital.
Umtata is a lively, colourful and very African centre in the old Transkei region in the Eastern Cape Province. Umtata falls under the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality and the O R Tambo District Municipality. The Umtata Tourism Bureau can be contacted at telephone number +27 (047) 501 4194 for more information about Umtata and the surrounding area.
The N2 highway runs directly through Umtata and allows easy connections to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Umtata is known as a stopover on the way from East London to Durban (by road), and for the Nelson Mandela Museum, of course.
Umtata also has its own airport with scheduled flights to Johannesburg by SA Airlink.
Mthatha River
Umtata is situated near the Mthatha River, at 742m above sea level. The name "Umtata" was derived from the Mthatha River.
There are two different explanations for the origins of the name "Mthatha" for the river. It is said that the river received its name from the abundance of Thathe (or Sneezewood) trees, which flourish along the Mthatha River banks. But another explanation for the name "Mthatha" is attributed to the treacherous nature of the river, when it is in flood. The isiXhosa word "thatha" (meaning "taker") may have been given as name for the river, because of the periodic damage to property and the lives lost to the flooding river.
Umtata History
Before Umtata was founded, the Thembu and Pando tribes, among the earliest people to migrate to the area from central Africa, regarded the Mthatha River as the boundary between the two tribes. Members of the Thembu and Pando tribes were regularly involved in violent clashes near the Mthatha River.
The Chiefs from both the Thembu and Pando tribes decided to create a 'white buffer zone' between the two tribes, by allocating farms along the Mthatha River banks, which was to be rented out to white settlers. This 'white buffer zone' was hoped to put a stop to the constant brawling between the two tribes.
The first person to acquire one of these 'white buffer zone' farms was the Bishop H. Callaway, who arrived as the first bishop of the Anglican Diocese in the Mthatha River area. Bishop Callaway erected his headquarters, a church, a school and a hospital. The township of Umtata was laid out in 1879, near the Mthatha River, at position 31° 32' S and 28° 40' E.
Madiba came from near Umtata
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan of the Thembu royal family at Mvezo, a village near Umtata, on 18 July 1918. Nelson Mandela grew up in Qunu, near Umtata, and would later become the first President of the new democratic Republic of South Africa in 1994, after being imprisoned on Robben Island for treason against the apartheid government of South Africa.
The greatest tourist attraction in Umtata is the Nelson Mandela Museum in the Bhunga Building in Owen Street. Mandela has insisted that the Museum should not be a tribute dedicated to him, but should rather serve as a catalyst and springboard for the upliftment and development of the local community of Umtata.
Known affectionately as 'Madiba', Nelson Mandela is loved and respected worldwide for his tireless energy to bring about a better life for all South Africans.
The modern Nelson Mandela Museum consists of three historical sites in the Umtata area, including the open-air museum at Mvezo, near Coffee Bay, where Mandela was born, a Youth and Heritage Centre in the village of Qunu, about 25km outside Umtata, and the partly renovated Bhunga Building on Nelson Mandela Drive in Umtata.
A substantial variety of historic documents and photographs are displayed along with priceless sentimental gifts given to him while he was president. The Nelson Mandela Museum tells of Madiba's inspiring journey through life, or his "Long Walk to Freedom".
Interesting places in Umtata
The Madiba Hiking Trail leads hikers to various interesting and beautiful spots near Umtata, including Qunu where Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela grew up, and the University of Fort Hare.
The Bhunga is the handsome domed building on Nelson Mandela Drive in Umtata, which served as the seat of the Transkei Parliament for more than half a century. The Bhunga building now houses the Nelson Mandela National Museum.
Umtata Dam provides Umtata with water, as well as recreational facilities. Picnicking and water sport, including ski boating, are popular outdoor activities at the Umtata Dam.
Umtata Town Hall is an impressive sandstone building, which was completed in 1908, and overlooks a superb garden.
The Dwesa, Hululeka and Silika Nature Reserves near Umtata offers accommodation in the evergreen forests and unspoilt countryside, surrounding Umtata. These nature reserves offer various outdoor activities, including hiking trails, fishing and bird watching.
