Metros of the Eastern Cape

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
Bhisho, King William’s Town, East London
Buffalo City became South Africa’s seventh metropolitan municipality after the 2011 local government elections, being upgraded from a Category-B entity to a Category-A municipality. Bhisho is the provincial capital and is located very close to King William’s Town, which is a regional service centre. East London is the metropole’s most important economic hub. Several financial institutions have their head offices in East London and the financial sector is the biggest contributor to the economy. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most important employers in the metropole, and has invested heavily in manufacturing capacity in recent times. The gross value add of Buffalo City (R29.7-million in 2009), makes it the second-largest economy of the province.

Buffalo City’s land area is approximately 2 515 square kilometres, with 68km of coastline. East London and King William’s Town supply most of the metropole’s manufacturing capacity. Parts of the area are good for cattle and sheep rearing, and some pineapple production exists. Many farms have been converted to game farms or private game reserves. The 45 000-hectare Greater Fish River Conservancy Area is an example of an effort to preserve the natural environment. Bhisho and King William’s Town are closely related, with many of the residents of the former shopping and doing their business in the latter. Bhisho Airport had R76-million spent on it in 2009 and there is a plan to reinstate the East London-King William’s Town railway line. King William’s Town has a strong trading tradition. The forested hills nearby provide timber and opportunities for recreation on trails and game farms. Several trout-and bass-fishing lodges are within easy reach.

East London is the biggest component of Buffalo City and has South Africa’s only river port. Mercedes-Benz SA’s sophisticated manufacturing plant produces C-Class vehicles for the US market, commercial buses and Mitsubishi Fuso trucks. A dedicated motor-vehicle terminal at the Port of East London has a capacity to load 100 000 vehicles per year.

Other industries in East London include textiles, clothing, healthcare, packaging, pharmaceuticals, furniture and food processing. Among the agricultural products from the hinterland that are processed in East London are chicory and pineapples. The 15 000-hectare East London IDZ is stimulating investment in the area. Agriprocessing is a particular focus and a large dairy was built in 2010.

East London has a good network of roads and is connected to other major centres via the N2 (Port Elizabeth and Durban) and the N6 (Bloemfontein). East London Airport hosts daily fl ights to all other major centres in South Africa. As part of the Sunshine Coast, the city is well known for its outstanding beaches.
www.buffalocity.co.za

Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch
Port Elizabeth is the Eastern Cape’s largest economic centre but Uitenhage is home to the Volkswagen Group, one of the biggest contributors to the regional economy and a leader in exports. Together with the towns of Uitenhage and Despatch, it is administered by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. A gross value add of R40-billion (2009) means that the Nelson Mandela Metro is the province’s largest economic contributor. Between them, Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth host many automotive manufacturers and related industries, a sector that is being further boosted by the growth of the Coega Industrial Development Zone. Port Elizabeth has considerable manufacturing capacity besides the motor industry, specifically in pharamaceuticals, food and beverages, and textiles and leather.

The city is well served by transport links. The port at the Coega IDZ, Ngqura, is a major new development, having deep-water capacity. Port Elizabeth Airport connects the city to all regions in South Africa, and the city’s freeway system is extremely good. Port Elizabeth’s tourism image was boosted by the city’s successful hosting of 2010 World Cup matches in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the city has won the right to host the IRB Rugby Sevens tournament.

Boasting pristine beaches along the vast Algoa Bay and excellent natural beauty within easy reach of the city – including Addo Elephant National Park – Port Elizabeth has become a popular tourist destination at the start (or finish) of the Garden Route.

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) has several sites in the city and offers a wide range of academic courses. Academics at NMMU conduct research in areas relevant to the regional economy, for example in biofuels, the automotive sector and forestry.
www.nmbt.com
www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za
www.nmbda.co.za

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