Makhanda
Also Known as Grahamstown

Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, located in Eastern Cape Province, is known for excellence in academia, arts and culture. A large sign prominently displayed at the entrance of Makhanda declares “Makhanda, the Creative City”.

©Tracey Derrick
Art display at the National Arts Festival.

Makhanda is a unique and charitable place where everything is connected. The town basically has three personalities. For a week in July it's all tie-dyed and artsy and performers float around its streets 24 hours a day. During the academic terms, it’s a flutter of students and school uniforms and 21st birthday jols and during the holidays, when Rhodes University and the town's nearly 20 schools close, it rests.

This place has managed to retain its small-town charm, yet you can partake in the best of city activities and benefits. From restaurants to cafes and shops, it is largely due to the student population that there is a bustling social scene.

Grahamstown plays host to Africa’s largest arts festival. Held annually, the Grahamstown National Arts Festival is without doubt the biggest attraction in this charming Eastern Cape town. Architectural junkies will enjoy wandering the streets to view exquisitely preserved examples of Georgian-Settler, Tudor Gothic, Neo-Gothic, Victorian and Edwardian architecture.

Eastern Cape Coastal Route

The Eastern Cape Coastal Route covers the length of the Eastern Cape Province stretching across a number of districts. The route starts at T...more

Historical Facts of Makhanda

While we know Grahamstown today as the City of Saints or Makhanda, it was founded as a frontier military outpost by Lieutenant-Colonel John ...more

History of Makhanda

A long time before the Europeans and the Xhosas first made contact, the Khoi and San people moved through Grahamstown. You can honour the Kh...more

Kingswood College in Makhanda

It was in 1918 that Kingswood first beat the St Andrew's 1st XV fair and square, without any masters playing in the sides and without any of...more

Makhanda Artefacts

In 1886 the boys of Dale College travelled by oxwagon from King William's Town to play rugby against St Andrew's. In the same year an Old An...more

Makhanda Key Attractions

Among the 70 declared National Heritage sites in Makhanda is The Cathedral of St Michael and St George, with its Victorian and early Edwardi...more

Makhanda the Creative City

Makhanda is known as the City of Saints due to its magnificent churches. If you have over-indulged in local restaurants and nightclubs, you ...more

West of Makhanda

Inland of Addo and Makhanda is the historic university town of Alice, where London missionaries established the Lovedale Missionary College ...more