Area: 23 675 square kilometres

Population: +/- 1.7 million

Named after the majestic Amathole Mountains, the District includes the Buffalo City Local Municipality, which encompasses East London, King William’s Town and Mdantsane.

The Amathole District is home to about 1.7 million people. The population is 91% African, 3% Coloured and 5% White. Two-thirds of the District is made up of ex-homeland areas and is the birthplace of struggle hero, Steve Biko.

It has the second biggest economy in the Eastern Cape Province with the private sector mainly dominated by manufacturing (motor industry, food processing, textiles and clothing). Agriculture provides only 8% of formal employment but varies greatly within the District.

Situated within the Amathole District is the East London Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), an initiative by the South African government to encourage export oriented growth in the country through the attraction of foreign and local investors.

The East London IDZ aims to bring economic growth to the region and beyond by offering investors a globally competitive combination of geographic position, infrastructure, services and labour.

A number of manufacturers ranging from automotive to aquaculture have already settled into the zone.

The Amathole District also features the University of Fort Hare, which was the first “black” South African university before the abolishment of the apartheid regime and is the alma mater of a host of African leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.

For more information visit: http://www.amathole.gov.za/