TOURIST INFORMATION
Eastern Cape Tourism Board Mthatha
Tel 047 531 5290
Mthatha, (formerly spelt Umtata), is the head town of the King Sabata Danilyebo Municipality and was the capital of the formerly independent Bantustan of Transkei. Mthatha was founded as a military post by the colonial forces in 1882, and the town was founded in 1883. King Sabata Danilyebo was the traditional leader of the AmaThembu people and was a prominent anti-apartheid activist. Many of South Africa's leaders, including President Nelson Mandela come from this area.
Mthatha has many sites of interest. The village of Qunu outside the town was the childhood home of Nelson Mandela and the old Bunga building is now the Nelson Mandela Museum. The town is the main centre on route to the Wild Coast resorts of Coffee Bay and Port St Johns and is an important commercial centre for the region with a fascinating history.
