44-503: East London Museum is a museum in East London, Eastern Cape , South Africa, notable for holding the type specimen of the coelacanth , a fish previously believed to be long extinct. It was the workplace of Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer , the fish's discoverer. It was established in 1921 and features natural and cultural history of East London and surrounds. The museum is open week days and Saturdays. There are other galleries within
88-637: A 0-4-0 VB wheel arrangement, a vertical boiler and vertical cylinders, was similar in general appearance to the Grasshopper type locomotive which appeared on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the United States of America in 1832 and whose name seems to have come from the movement of the exposed vertical valve gear. While very little is known about the locomotive, it appears from the existing photograph to have been wood-fired and driven by
132-840: A 1.9 km swim, 90 km of cycling and a 21.1 km road run. The event started and finished at the Orient Beach in East London. In November 2021, the Buffalo City Ironman 70.3 event was cancelled in favour of the new Mossel Bay Ironman 70.3 event. Rugby is popular in East London. The provincial team, the Border Bulldogs , currently plays in the First Division of the Currie Cup competition. Most national games in East London are played at
176-526: A South African steam locomotive from the pre- Union era in the Cape of Good Hope . In 1847, the government of the Cape of Good Hope established harbour boards at its three major ports, Table Bay , Port Elizabeth and East London . While railway lines were laid at all these harbours, trains were for the most part initially hauled by oxen or mules. The first steam locomotive to see service at East London Harbour
220-592: A crest consisting of two crossed anchors and a mural crown. Heraldist Ivan Mitford-Barberton added two buffalo as supporters. The improved design was granted by the College of Arms on 15 December 1959. It was registered with the Cape Provincial Administration in 1960, and at the Bureau of Heraldry in 1967. East London Harbour 0-4-0VB The East London Harbour 0-4-0VB of 1873 was
264-416: A cross Gules between in the first and fourth quarters a garb and in the second and third quarters a fleece Or; on a chief Azure a demi-sun Or. A golden anchor was placed behind the shield, no doubt to show that the town was a seaport. The motto was Animo et fide . The arms were improved in the 1950s by the town clerk, H.H. Driffield. He changed the shield from silver to ermine, removed the anchor and devised
308-432: A degree of independence from Britain. The new government merged the three neighbouring settlements of East London, East London East and Panmure in 1873, forming the core of the current municipality, and in 1876 it began construction on the region's railway lines , commencing on the river's east bank. At the same time, it began construction of the East London harbour . This new infrastructure rapidly accelerated development of
352-433: A historic motor racing track that hosted three Formula One South African Grand Prix during the 1930s and 1960s. The circuit is run and managed by Border Motor Sport Club on a shoestring budget. South Africa's only Formula One World Drivers' Champion , Jody Scheckter , started his motor racing career with a Renault Gordini on this track. Golf is another favoured pastime in and around East London. East London Golf Club
396-434: A marine type of vertical engine. Alexander Chaplin produced a range of steam-powered industrial products which included steam cranes, hoists, locomotives, pumping and winding engines, ship's deck engines and sea water distilling apparatus. Between 1860 and 1899, it delivered 135 of these locomotives to customers around the world. All four engines were used during construction and later also worked as shunting locomotives on
440-402: A third tier for its major intra-city roads. East London railway station offers long-distance passenger services to Cape Town and Johannesburg via Springfontein , and local services. King Phalo Airport is a commercial airport with service to other large South African metropolitan areas. The East London municipality assumed a coat of arms on 29 August 1892. The arms were : Argent,
484-433: Is 3 °C (37.4 °F), and the all-time record high is 44 °C (111.2 °F) on 13 March 2021. The hottest temperatures have been recorded in springtime and autumn, rather than the summer months, due to violent berg (foehn) winds. Temperatures above 38 °C (100 °F) have only been recorded early in the season, from August to December. Berg winds contribute to these high temperatures, as already warm air from
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#1732776038865528-691: Is a city on the southeastern coast of South Africa , in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality , Eastern Cape Province . The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast, largely between the Buffalo River and the Nahoon River , and hosts the country's only river port . As of 2011 , East London had a population of over 267,000 with over 755,000 in the surrounding metropolitan area. John Bailie, one of
572-759: Is a highly regarded championship golf course. Some of the other golf clubs in the region are the West Bank Golf Club, Gonubie Golf Club, Olivewood Golf Estate and Fish River Sun Country Club (a Gary Player -designed golf course). East London has also hosted the Africa Open tournament multiple times. Golfers can also hone their skills at the East London Golf Club Driving Range. Rowing is on the Buffalo River. The annual Buffalo Regatta began in 1881 and has become
616-590: Is held in February/March each year, and South Africa's oldest 160 km extreme ultra marathon , the Washie, over a picturesque and undulating coastal route from Port Alfred to the city. Triathlon is a popular sport and in particular hosted the a world-famous Ironman 70.3 South African event which took place annually in January from 2012 to 2021. Ironman 70.3 events follow a race format which consists of
660-622: Is the seat of the Metro. East London has an oceanic climate ( Köppen Cfb ), bordering on a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa ), with the warm temperatures and moderation typical of the South African coastline. Although it has no true dry season, there is a drying trend in the winter, with the wettest times of year being spring and autumn. There is also a shorter and lesser dry period in December and January. The all-time record low
704-432: Is the second largest industrial centre in the province. The motor industry is the dominant employer. A major Daimler plant is located next to the harbour, manufacturing Mercedes-Benz and other vehicles for the local market, as well as exporting to the United States and Brazil . Other industries include clothing, textiles , pharmaceuticals and food processing . The period of international sanctions that followed in
748-589: The 1820 Settlers , surveyed the Buffalo River mouth and founded the town in 1836. There is a memorial on Signal Hill commemorating the event. The city formed around the only river port in South Africa and was originally known as Port Rex. Later it was renamed London in honour of the capital city of the United Kingdom , hence the name East London. This settlement on the West Bank was the nucleus of
792-713: The Blackburn Rovers , prior to its sudden dissolution in 2014. Motocross is also popular and many national events are held in the area surrounding East London, due to the challenging terrain there and in Transkei . East London is home to the ELMCC (East London Motor Cycle Club), which organises most of the motorcycle events in the area. East London is home to the Prince George Race Circuit , opened in 1959 (renamed East London Grand Prix Circuit),
836-478: The Buffalo City Stadium , which holds around 15000 people and was a host stadium during the 1995 Rugby World Cup . East London schools have produced many fine rugby players, including (in recent times) André Vos , Keith and Mark Andrews , Christiaan Scholtz , Brent Russell , Rory Kockott , Akona Ndungane and Odwa Ndungane . Football is also very popular in the city. East London was home to
880-505: The Cape Colony that same year. This fort is one of a series of British-built forts, including Fort Murray, Fort White , Fort Cox , Fort Hare , Fort Jackson and Fort Beaufort , in the border area that became known as British Kaffraria . With later development of the port came the settlement of permanent residents, including German settlers, most of whom were bachelors. These settlers were responsible for German names of some towns in
924-652: The Chalumna River mouth near East London by fishermen in 1938, and numerous memorial statues. In 1948, the National Party came to power in South Africa, and began to implement the policy of apartheid . Apartheid as a doctrine envisaged the total segregation of races in South Africa, and East London was no different. In 1950, the Group Areas Act was placed upon the statute books making absolute segregation in all urban areas mandatory. In 1951,
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#1732776038865968-621: The 1980s damaged the economy of East London's harbour. Enormous investment in recent years, by corporations such as Daimler AG , has resulted in the harbour being developed to include a new car terminal. From the 1960s until the 1990s, the apartheid government created tax and wage incentives to attract industries to the then black "independent states", including nearby Ciskei . Investment thus flowed into surrounding areas such as Fort Jackson and Dimbaza , leaving East London in relative isolation. Transport infrastructure deteriorated and port activity wound down. To encourage investment in East London,
1012-642: The Amalinda area was zoned as a White Group Area by Government Gazette Proclamation number 21. This meant that the municipality's plans to extend the area in order to accommodate the Black African population were abandoned. In 1953, residents in the East Bank were forcibly moved to the new township of Mdantsane . In February 1966, the South African government defined Mdantsane as a separate homeland township. In 1956, Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd , who
1056-483: The Cape Government established harbour boards at Table Bay, Port Elizabeth and East London in 1847. Each board initially consisted of five members, later increased to seven. They were responsible for the management, control, improvement, development and maintenance of the facilities at these ports and empowered to levy wharfage dues. Railway lines were an early feature at all these harbours. East London Harbour
1100-622: The East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) was established on the West Bank in 2004, close to both the port and airport. 1500ha of land has been made available, and the site is one of four duty-free development areas in South Africa. Cricket is popular around East London. A combined Border/Eastern Province cricket side known as the Warriors take part in the top provincial competition. Former Proteas wicketkeeper Mark Boucher who as of July 2023 holds
1144-638: The Land Tenure Advisory Board, the body created to enforce the act, conducted initial investigations into the reallocation of space along racial lines in East London. Residential segregation had long been practised in East London prior to the advent of apartheid. In 1941, the East London Municipality moved residents from East Bank townships to the newly built township of Duncan Village . In 1951, all inter-racial property exchanges were prohibited in East London. In 1955,
1188-610: The Test record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper hails from East London. Buffalo Park Stadium in East London hosted a match during the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003 and two matches of the 2009 Indian Premier League . The Buffalo Road Running Club of East London has created two established events that have gained international recognition. They are the Old Mutual Buffalo 42,2 km marathon , which
1232-606: The West Bank lines of the East London Harbour. At least one of them survived into the 20th century, since the Harbour Board reports still listed one "old 15 HP locomotive" on the books in 1904. The Brunel gauge lines were finally regauged or closed between 1909 and 1912. In South Africa, the locomotive type was not unique to East London Harbour and several others saw service on industrial lines. The locomotive works numbers and dates of completion are listed in
1276-460: The area into today's thriving city of East London. The unusual double-decker bridge over the Buffalo River was completed in 1935, and to this day is the only bridge of its type in South Africa. Modern day attractions include the Gately House, City Hall, Cape Railways, Nahoon Museum, East London Museum housing the coelacanth , a prehistoric fish, thought to be extinct, discovered live at
1320-500: The arid interior is further heated through compression as it drops over the escarpment to sea level. Although temperatures have never dropped below freezing since records began, East London has recorded snowfall in 1985 and 1989. East London is the second-largest city in the Eastern Cape with a population of 474,000 as of 2016. English is the first spoken language in the city and Xhosa is the second language spoken. East London
1364-684: The city prompting petitions and letters of complaint from numerous organisations including the Black Sash , trade unions and various Black community groups. In 1967, the East London Municipality proclaimed the majority of the city an area for White occupancy, with the exception of a broad sector of land encompassing the Parkside, Parkridge and Buffalo Flats areas which was zoned for Coloured residence. Certain parts of Duncan Village were abolished and its African residents removed, new coloured and Asian locations were built and proclaimed upon land in 1973. In
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1408-477: The largest in South Africa: in 2018 there were 1000 competitors participating in 200 events over three days. Surfski is ideally suited to East London. The Port Elizabeth to East London Challenge organized by East London's Border Canoe club is 244 km long, often in extremely challenging conditions, takes place every second year, attracting competitors from around the world. It began in 1972 to see who
1452-465: The museum besides the display of the coelacanth. The museum offers displays of southern Nguni beadwork and traditional culture. The maritime gallery includes model ships and shipwreck artifacts. The museum includes one living exhibit, a working bee hive. This article about a museum in South Africa is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . East London, Eastern Cape East London ( Xhosa : eMonti ; Afrikaans : Oos-Londen )
1496-567: The same year, the newly constructed location of Braelynn was proclaimed an Indian area while Buffalo Flats Extension and Pefferville were proclaimed as Coloured areas. The construction/ extension of Coloured areas and the Duncan Village were suspended in 1983. At the end of apartheid in 1994, East London became part of the province of Eastern Cape . In 2000, East London became part of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality , also consisting of King William's Town , Bhisho and Mdantsane and
1540-665: The suburb of Nahoon is a famous South African surf spot and is the site of the annual Nahoon Surf Pro (formerly Buffalo City Surf Pro). The city has also hosted the South African Surfing Championships on numerous occasions and even the ISA World Surfing Championship. There are also a few private colleges. Other points of interest include: East London is serviced by two national roads: the coastal N2 highway connects it to Qonce , Makhanda , Gqeberha and Cape Town to
1584-469: The town of East London, which was elevated to city status in 1914. During the early to mid-19th century frontier wars between the British settlers and the local Xhosa inhabitants, East London served as a supply port to service the military headquarters at nearby King William's Town , about 50 km (31 mi) away. A British fort , Fort Glamorgan, was built on the West Bank in 1847, and annexed to
1628-496: The vicinity of East London such as Stutterheim and Berlin . Today, German surnames such as Gehring, Salzwedel and Peinke are still common in East London, but the descendants of the settlers rapidly became Anglicised. The existing port, in the mouth of the Buffalo River , adjoining the Indian Ocean , began operating in 1870. In 1872, the Cape Colony, under the leadership of its first Prime Minister John Molteno , attained
1672-577: The west and Mthatha and Durban to the east. It is the southern end of the N6 , which runs north via Komani and Aliwal North to Bloemfontein . Older sections of the N2 have been renumbered the R102. The R72 is an alternative route to Port Elizabeth , via Port Alfred . The R346 is an alternative route to King William's Town . East London, like South Africa's other major cities, uses Metropolitan (or M) routes as
1716-516: Was a 7 ft 1 ⁄ 4 in ( 2,140 mm ) Brunel gauge engine which was obtained for work on breakwater construction in 1873 and placed in service in 1874. It was a 0-4-0 VB engine, similar in general appearance to the American Grasshopper type . Four of them were acquired between 1873 and 1880. When the requirement for improved harbour facilities for the handling of ships and cargoes became apparent,
1760-475: Was delivered in 1873. It was ordered from Alexander Chaplin & Co. in Glasgow and, even though it arrived on 2 July 1873, it was only placed in service on 17 August 1874 when it was used for passenger rides on the first day, before being put to construction work. Three more of these locomotives were acquired from Alexander Chaplin, one more in 1874 and another two in 1879 and early 1880. The locomotive, with
1804-455: Was faster, ultra-distance runner John Ball over land, or surf lifesaver John Woods over water. John Ball won. Surfing is popular in East London. It is home to some of South Africa's top surfers, including Greg Emslie, former World Championship Tour surfer, ISA World Masters Champion, five-time South African Men’s Champion and coach to Olympic silver medalist Bianca Buitendag, Andre Malherbe, and up-and-comer Zoe Steyn. Nahoon Reef, located in
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1848-629: Was surveyed by Sir John Coode in 1870 and breakwater construction began in 1872, under the supervision of resident engineer William Lester. The first of four stone quarries to supply rock for the construction of the breakwaters was opened in June 1872 and made use of convict labour and oxen-drawn rail trucks. Construction of the South Breakwater, on the west bank of the Buffalo River, was completed by August 1873. The wide 7 ft 1 ⁄ 4 in ( 2,140 mm ) Brunel gauge track
1892-425: Was the architect of apartheid, forbade the East London municipality from extending the existing Duncan Village township and sanctioned the building of Mdantsane. In 1961, these plans provided for the allocation of a distinct wedge of the city for Asian and Coloured residence, which "incorporated the areas of North End and the recently proclaimed Buffalo Flats location. This plan occasioned tremendous resentment in
1936-401: Was used during breakwater construction at both East London and Table Bay harbours to make it easier to drop rock from the wagons between the rails, which were run out to sea on a timber framework. This method of construction was perfected by Sir John Coode. The first locomotives at East London Harbour were acquired for breakwater construction and the first of eventually four steam locomotives
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