Butterworth, South Africa
Encyclopedia
Butterworth is a settlement in the Eastern Cape
province, South Africa
. Butterworth has a population of 287,780 and is situated 111 km north of East London on the N2 national highway
in the Eastern Cape
Province of South Africa
.
Butterworth was first established as a Wesleyan
mission station in 1827
north of the Great Kei River
in British Kaffraria. It was named after Joseph Butterworth. The mission station white settlement of Butterworth was burnt down 3 times during the Cape Frontier Wars.. Nonetheless, it is the oldest white settlement in Eastern Cape. When the British seized the Cape of Good Hope, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The town was close to the seat of Hintsa ka Khawuta
, chief of the Gcaleka
people of the Xhosa tribe. It was, then, of great strategic importance.
Around that that time, a young girl, Nongqawuse, had a vision that her forebears would help the Xhosa drive the English out. The disastrous result weakened the Xhosa. The Ninth Frontier War spelled the end of the Xhosa and the Transkei (as the Dutch named Eastern Cape) area was incorporated into the Cape Colony. But it was never quiet. There were raids between settlers and Xhosa, and turf wars between different Xhosa groups. Missions were established here and there to try to bring Christianity to the people, with limited success.
At the end of the Frontier Wars in 1878, traders began to settle here and the town has grown to become a small industrial centre. Butterworth became a municipality of the Cape Colony
in 1904
. The town was incorporated into the former Transkei
bantustan
during the apartheid years. It is one of the fastest growing towns in terms of the economy and the population.
Butterworth's town area is relatively small, including a small business district of middle-to-high income housing. The town, established exclusively “white” before 1976, has since been occupied largely by black high-income groups. White occupancy has not re-established post-1994. The ethnic make up now consists of white, black, 'colored' and Indian. Development in Butterworth has followed the line of the N2 and thus resulted in a long, narrow settlement east of town towards Walter Sisulu University (WSU), about 5 km away. The N2 also runs through the CBD, which results in a clash of uses and congestion, with high speed transport movements using the same space as pedestrians, hawkers and public service functions.
The Church of the Province of Southern Africa
has played an important role in the life of the Butterworth community. Today, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu
is seen as a significant spiritual leader. St Peter's Church is a beautiful example of 19th Century colonial architecture.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
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...
. Butterworth has a population of 287,780 and is situated 111 km north of East London on the N2 national highway
N2 (South Africa)
The N2 is a National Route in South Africa; it is the main highway along the Indian Ocean coast of the country. The N2 starts in Cape Town in the Western Cape and runs through the cities of Port Elizabeth and East London in the Eastern Cape and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal to end at Ermelo in...
in the Eastern Cape
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
Province of 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...
.
History
The area around Butterworth was populated by Khoi San people, however they were gradually absorbed into the isiXhosa people who arrived from further North.Butterworth was first established as a Wesleyan
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
mission station in 1827
1827 in South Africa
-Events:* A Wesleyan mission station is established north of the Great Kei River at present day Butterworth, Eastern Cape...
north of the Great Kei River
Great Kei River
The Great Kei River is a river in South Africa in the Eastern Cape province. Before it becomes the Great Kei, the Swart-Kei River and the Wit-Kei River join forces, northeast of Cathcart. It flows for 520 km and ends at the Indian Ocean with the small town Kei Mouth on the west bank...
in British Kaffraria. It was named after Joseph Butterworth. The mission station white settlement of Butterworth was burnt down 3 times during the Cape Frontier Wars.. Nonetheless, it is the oldest white settlement in Eastern Cape. When the British seized the Cape of Good Hope, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The town was close to the seat of Hintsa ka Khawuta
Hintsa ka Khawuta
Hintsa ka Khawuta , also known as Hintsa the Great or King Hintsa, was the 4th paramount Chief of the Gcaleka sub-group of the Xhosa nation from 1820 until his death in 1835....
, chief of the Gcaleka
Gcaleka
The Gcaleka are a major sub-group of the Xhosa found in the Transkei area of the Eastern Cape. Their counterparts in Ciskei are the Rharhabe.The Gcaleka kingdom was founded by Gcaleka kaPhalo, who became chief in 1775....
people of the Xhosa tribe. It was, then, of great strategic importance.
Around that that time, a young girl, Nongqawuse, had a vision that her forebears would help the Xhosa drive the English out. The disastrous result weakened the Xhosa. The Ninth Frontier War spelled the end of the Xhosa and the Transkei (as the Dutch named Eastern Cape) area was incorporated into the Cape Colony. But it was never quiet. There were raids between settlers and Xhosa, and turf wars between different Xhosa groups. Missions were established here and there to try to bring Christianity to the people, with limited success.
At the end of the Frontier Wars in 1878, traders began to settle here and the town has grown to become a small industrial centre. Butterworth became a municipality of the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
in 1904
1904 in South Africa
-Events:* February - Pneumonic plague strikes Johannesburg* 22 June - The first of 62,000 Chinese labourers arrive in South Africa to relieve the shortage of unskilled mineworkers-Deaths:...
. The town was incorporated into the former Transkei
Transkei
The Transkei , officially the Republic of Transkei , was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and nominal parliamentary democracy in the southeastern region of South Africa...
bantustan
Bantustan
A bantustan was a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South West Africa , as part of the policy of apartheid...
during the apartheid years. It is one of the fastest growing towns in terms of the economy and the population.
Economy
Butterworth is the main service area for Mnquma municipality, contributing 77% of the GDP in the municipality and is an important town in the new South Africa. It now has several major industrial sites, including Zitulele and Ibeka, on its outskirts. Its industries produce processed food, beverages, tobacco products, beer, textiles, clothing, leather goods, wood and wood products, chemicals, and rubber and plastic products. It is on the Umtata-East London railway line, and locally -brewed Castle Lager is considered a world class beer.Butterworth's town area is relatively small, including a small business district of middle-to-high income housing. The town, established exclusively “white” before 1976, has since been occupied largely by black high-income groups. White occupancy has not re-established post-1994. The ethnic make up now consists of white, black, 'colored' and Indian. Development in Butterworth has followed the line of the N2 and thus resulted in a long, narrow settlement east of town towards Walter Sisulu University (WSU), about 5 km away. The N2 also runs through the CBD, which results in a clash of uses and congestion, with high speed transport movements using the same space as pedestrians, hawkers and public service functions.
Tourism
Tourism is important to this friendly little town. Attractions include Bawa Falls, Birding, Cape Vulture Colony, Collywobbles on Mbashe River, Cultural significance, Gcuwa River Cascades and Historical sights. The small town of Butterworth is surrounded by a beautiful countryside. People can go for day walks to the nearby villages such as Tobashana and experience the hospitality of traditional Xhosa living. Gcuwa dam provides for a man-made lake, perfect for boating and fishing. Visitors to Butterworth will taste the flavor of the true South Africa.Bawa Falls
Nearby Bawa Falls on the Qolora River, have a sheer drop of nearly 300 ft, and are truly magnificent. The dirt path which leads to them is just west of town and is quite an adventure. Winding through the Transkei countryside, little has changed little in the past 100 years The district is attractive and scenic with its almost ever-green thorn trees and tropical flowers. The Bawa Falls on the Qolora river has a sheer drop of nearly 300 ft. and is a popular picnic spot. The more adventurous camp overnight. And so also The Cascades on the Gcuwa (Butterworth) river with a reputed fall of 270 ft. Butterworth is the starting point for a number trips.The Church
The supreme being among the Xhosa is called uThixo. Christianity in one form or another is accepted by most people today. Cultural traditionalists are likely to belong to independent denominations that combine Christianity with traditional beliefs and practices.The Church of the Province of Southern Africa
Church of the Province of Southern Africa
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa, known until 2006 as the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, is the Anglican province in the southern part of Africa, including dioceses in Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Saint Helena, South Africa and Swaziland...
has played an important role in the life of the Butterworth community. Today, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
is seen as a significant spiritual leader. St Peter's Church is a beautiful example of 19th Century colonial architecture.