Facts & History

PORT ELIZABETH (ALSO CALLED NELSON MANDELA BAY)

Fast Facts

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  Population 1 million

• Known as “The Friendly City”
• Second-oldest city in South Africa

History

• Initially home to the Khoi and the San people, and later settled by the Xhosa people
• The first British settlers arrived in 1820
• Named “Port Elizabeth” in 1820 by Sir Rufane, governor of the Cape Colony, in honor of his late wife, Elizabeth

Activities and Points of Interest

• Ado National Park – 40 kilometers from the city; more than 450 elephants, as well as buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino
• Kragga Kamma Game Park – home to rhinos, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, nyala, bontebok, lechwe and other species
• Beaches – 40 kilometer stretch of beaches in a protected bay
• Donkin Heritage Trail – a walking trail through the city, including 47 sites of historic interest

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

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  Capacity 48,000

• Completed in 2009