Port Alfred

Port Alfred
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape Province
Municipality	Ndlambe Local Municipality
Government
• Type	Town Council
Population
• Total	20,836
Time zone	SAST

Port Alfred is a small town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern seaboard of the country at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly half-way between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth and East London, 30km West of Cannon Rocks. One of its most distinctive features is a beautiful marina with a number of luxurious houses facing on to the canals. Associated with the marina is a small boat harbour, providing mooring for a variety of vessels from luxury yachts and other pleasure craft, to sporting and commercial deep-sea fishing vessels. The city enjoys a mild climate and award winning beaches, Kelly's beach has blue flag status, meaning it is one of the top beaches in South Africa. It is growing rapidly due to a high number of retirees and holiday makers building houses there. It was home to the well-known Jarryd Pauls.

Port Alfred is home to Southern Africa largest air school - 43 Airschool.

Port Alfred has many activities for visitors including fishing, Scuba diving diving, canoeing, waterskiing and tubing. Other sporting activities include golf, hiking, horse trails and surfing.

Port Alfred also houses the Educational Institute for Service Studies (EISS) which is affiliated to a Dutch University,Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland, and offers hospitality education to students from Southern Africa and elsewhere.

History

Port Alfred was established in the early 1820’s by the British settlers who had been moved into the area by Lord Charles Somerset as a buffer between the Western Cape and the Ama Xhosa. The leaders of some of the settler parties who helped settle in the area were William Cock and William Holder. The town’s original name was Port Kowie named after the river which runs through the town. Later when Queen Victoria’s son Prince Alfred visited the name was changed to honour him.

External links

• Port Alfred town website
• A real estate agency's description of Port Alfred's early history and amenities