UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE, ALICE
A small town only 55 kilometres from Cata, Alice is the base of the University of Fort Hare. During the apartheid years it was the most important education institution for the African population. Many famous South Africans were educated here, among them Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani and Desmond Tutu. The town itself has not much to offer but the University accommodates the Liberation Archives and the De Beers Centenary Art Gallery (040 602-2277 / -2269). The archive houses the most comprehensive collection of documents related to the struggle against apartheid. The gallery is home to an important collection of black modern South African art.
HOGSBACK
Close to Cata is the charming mountain resort of Hogsback. Hogsback has a long history as a holiday destination with the first hotel being built in 1880. The residents of Hogsback are certainly not ‘mainstream’ - many of the University of Fort Hare’s academics have their homes in the village, and it seems to attract artists and those interested in an alternative lifestyle. Attractions in the village include the eco-shrine and ‘Labyrinth at the Edge’.Very close to Cata as the crow flies, the route for humans is slightly longer. It is an hour’s drive, via Keiskammahoek, past the Sandile Dam and the village of Zingcuka. It is an extremely scenic drive, and we would recommend it as a day-trip from Cata. The road is generally very good, but it is gravel, so it is best attempted in dry weather.
Click here for Hogsback tourism info.
GUBU DAM
The Gubu Dam, at the foot of the Mount Kubusie between Keiskammahoek and Stutterheim, is a basin for the water of the Kubusie River. It provides water for the entire Stutterheim area. It is almost completely surrounded by trees. You can walk around the 108 hectares of water. Alternatively use your mountain bike. There is a state-run caravan park and a camping site beside the dam. Sailing and boating are permitted.Click here for more info on Gubu Dam nature experiences.
KING SANDILE’S GRAVE
King Sandile was one of the most important leaders of the Xhosa nation. He died in a battle with British and local troops in 1878 and first was buried between two British soldiers. Today his new grave is part of the Sandile Route and can be found close to Stutterheim. The route is well-signposted from Keiskammahoek. The Sandile Route which is one of four heritage routes in the Amathole District, leads you also to the Bhisho Massacre Monument that mourns the dead of the 1993 march to the current capital of the Eastern Cape Province.Click here to view King Sandile's grave.
KEISKAMMAHOEK
The historic town of Keiskammahoek is the commercial centre of the area. There is not much on offer to the tourist, but it is worth a visit, if only for a walk from the main road to the cemetery. En route you pass the ruins of Fort Cox built by the British in 1847 as one of their many military posts. The cemetery is still used by the descendants of the German Settlers.Click here for more info on Keiskammahoek.
ST. MATTHEWS
Located close to Cata, St Matthew’s will be of interest to all those who have read Marguerite Poland’s celebrated novel, Shades. The school began in 1856, and is a part of the Historic Schools Restoration Project.Click here for more info on St Matthews high school.
AMATHOLE MUSEUM, KING WILLIAM’S TOWN
Located in the heart of King William’s Town, this is an anthropology museum, a history museum and a natural history museum in one. Huberta, the “world’s most famous hippo” found her final resting place there after a two and a half years wandering from northern KwaZulu-Natal. While Huberta is joined by other stuffed animals, among them some of the big mammals of South Africa, other rooms focus on the history of the German settlers and historic craftsmanship. “King” (as it is known locally), was itself once one of the most important cities in the Eastern Cape. This you still can see this in the generous urban planning of the residential areas and the number of streets leading in different directions.Click here for more info on the Amathole Museum.
AMATOLA TRAIL
Considered by many as one of the most challenging of all South Africa’s hiking routes, the Amatole Trail runs from King William’s Town to Hogsback. It is also one of the most beautiful - there are spectacular mountain views, pristine indigenous forests and breathtaking waterfalls. It is advisable to stretch the 121 kilometres over six days, overnighting at huts above the villages of Gwiligwili, Dontsa, Cata, Mnyameni and Zingcuka. Alternatively, start at the easily-accessible Dontsa hut and leave the first two days out (but missing some wonderful views of the Amathole mountains). Note that you should not start the hike in a group of less than three people (in case of an emergency: one person can stay with the casualty).The trail can be booked via the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
ph 043 642 2571
email: amatolhk@dwaf.gov.za
Click here for more info.
A slightly easier version of the hike is the Amatola Community Trail, which covers three days of the longer trail. It also has the advantages of linking in with local communities, so that some catering is covered (less to carry!) and benefits flow to the people who live in the area, and the focus isn’t entirely on nature.
SETTLER TOWNS
Braunschweig, Frankfort, Hanover, Berlin or Wiesbaden. Make a trip through the villages or small towns of the German settlers. The journey could take you to remote places such as Braunschweig, named after a city in the north of Germany and for more than a decade part of the Ciskei bantustan. On the other hand, Berlin between King William’s Town and the big township of Mdantsane is a place that developed as a border town close to the former Ciskei.
EAST LONDON
If you visit Cata from abroad, you will arrive at the East London airport. Take the opportunity to visit the wonderful Indian Ocean beaches, check out contemporary South African art at the Ann Bryant Art Galley or learn about the history of the Eastern Cape at the East London Museum (which houses the famous coelacanth). East London has a natural harbour in the mouth of the Buffalo River and a wide range of overnight accommodation options. East London forms part of the large municipality of Buffalo City, which includes King William’s Town and the provincial capital, Bhisho.
Click here for more info on Buffalo City.
STEVE BIKO’S GRAVE
Student leader and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, Steve Biko, was born in King William’s Town 1n 1946. From 1973, he was banned and not allowed to leave the city or to meet with more than one person at a time. A hero of the anti-apartheid struggle, Biko was murdered while in state custody in 1977. His grave is to be found at the Ginsberg Cemetery, just outside King William’s Town, on the R63 en route to Cata. The grave is part of the Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance, established in 1997.Click here for more info on Steve Biko.
STUTTERHEIM
Stutterheim is a small farming and forestry town at the foot of the Amatola Mountains. Today, for most, it is simply a place one drives through on the N6 between East London and Queenstown. Historically, however, it was an important settler town. You may want to visit the Stationary Engine Museum, which houses working machines dating back to 1905. Unless you are visiting on a Tuesday please call ahead to make an arrangement (043 683 1521).www.border.co.za/harrison/stutt/intro
www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/easterncape
MGWALI
Mgwali is a tourist village 25 km east of Stutterheim where you can experience Xhosa culture as practiced historically. Traditional beer is made from maize for the visitors even if there is no ritual occasion to celebrate for the people. You can buy local crafts and enjoy traditional welcome singing.Click here for more info.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
Eastern Cape Tourism Board
Latest News
Feel the heartbeat of an ordinary Xhosa village - opt for a homestay and live with one of the Cata families for the duration of your stay. Perhaps you might like to have your evening beer at the local tavern and meet your neighbours. read more
From the newly-built chalets you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the Cata Dam on the road to Keiskammahoek. You can opt for self-catering or have meals prepared for you in traditional Xhosa style. read more
Cata is a paradise for children… bicycling or horse-riding or learning a little of the local language. And, of course, they could meet the local children and together with them, look for cattle in the afternoon.
But Cata is not as ordinary as you might think first when you enter the village. During apartheid the village underwent a complete forced removal from the hills to the valley. This programme was ironically called “betterment“ and affected millions of people all over South Africa. This, and the successful fight for restitution, is documented in the Cata museum. read more
