Buffalo City Local Municipality
Encyclopedia
Buffalo City is a metropolitan municipality
situated on the east coast of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
. It includes the towns of East London, Bhisho and King William's Town
, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane
and Zwelitsha
.
The municipality was established as a local municipality
in 2000 after South Africa's reorganisation of municipal areas, and is named after the Buffalo River
, at whose mouth lies the only river port in South Africa. On 18 May 2011 it was separated from the Amathole District Municipality and converted into a metropolitan municipality.
The area has a well-developed manufacturing base, with the auto industry playing a major role. DaimlerChrysler
has a large assembly plant located next to the port of East London, which produces a variety of vehicles for export.
The climate is mild, with year-round sunshine. Average rainfall is 850mm (33.5 inches).
The population of 701,873 (2001) is largely Black (85.2%), with White (8.4%) and Coloured (5.7%) minorities. There is also a small Indian community (0.6%).
The previous mayor, Rev. Sindisile Maclean (ANC
), was elected in 2000. History was made in Buffalo City when the City elected its first female mayor on Friday, 17 March 2006. Ntombentle Peter was voted in as Executive Mayor at the inaugural meeting of the new council following the municipal elections.
are: Gävle
, Sweden
Leiden, Netherlands
Milwaukee County, United States of America
Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)
In South Africa, a metropolitan municipality or Category A municipality is a municipality which executes all the functions of local government for a city or conurbation...
situated on the east coast of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It includes the towns of East London, Bhisho and King William's Town
King William's Town
King William's Town is a town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa along the banks of the Buffalo River. The town is about 40 minutes' motorway drive WNW of the Indian Ocean port of East London...
, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane
Mdantsane
Mdantsane is a South African township situated between East London and King William's Town in the Eastern Cape province. It is reputed to be the second largest township in South Africa after Soweto and houses the second biggest shopping mall in the Eastern Cape Province...
and Zwelitsha
Zwelitsha
Zwelitsha is a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. From 1972 to 1981 it served as the provisional capital of the Bantustan of Ciskei, until the capital could be moved to Alice, and then to Bhisho...
.
The municipality was established as a local municipality
Local municipality (South Africa)
In South Africa, a local municipality or Category B municipality is a type of municipality that serves as the third, and most local, tier of local government...
in 2000 after South Africa's reorganisation of municipal areas, and is named after the Buffalo River
Buffalo River (Eastern Cape)
The Buffalo River or Cwenqgcwe is situated in the city of East London on the East Coast of South Africa. It is to the west of the Nahoon River. It is the only navigable river in South Africa. The town of East London was thus established around it....
, at whose mouth lies the only river port in South Africa. On 18 May 2011 it was separated from the Amathole District Municipality and converted into a metropolitan municipality.
The area has a well-developed manufacturing base, with the auto industry playing a major role. DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler
Daimler AG is a German car corporation. By unit sales, it is the thirteenth-largest car manufacturer and second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures buses and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm...
has a large assembly plant located next to the port of East London, which produces a variety of vehicles for export.
The climate is mild, with year-round sunshine. Average rainfall is 850mm (33.5 inches).
The population of 701,873 (2001) is largely Black (85.2%), with White (8.4%) and Coloured (5.7%) minorities. There is also a small Indian community (0.6%).
The previous mayor, Rev. Sindisile Maclean (ANC
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
), was elected in 2000. History was made in Buffalo City when the City elected its first female mayor on Friday, 17 March 2006. Ntombentle Peter was voted in as Executive Mayor at the inaugural meeting of the new council following the municipal elections.
Town twinning
Buffalo City's town twinsTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
are: Gävle
Gävle
Gävle is a city in Sweden, the seat of Gävle Municipality and the capital of Gävleborg County. It had 71,033 inhabitants in 12/31 2010. It is the oldest city in the historical Norrland , having received its charter in 1446 from Christopher of Bavaria.-History:It is believed that the name Gävle...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Leiden, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Milwaukee County, United States of America