Gqeberha, also known by its former name Port Elizabeth and widely referred to as P.E is a major seaport and the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa's second-smallest metropolitan municipality by area. It is the sixth-most populous city in South Africa and is the cultural, economic and financial centre of the Eastern Cape.
The city was founded as Port Elizabeth in 1820 by Sir Rufane Donkin, who was the governor of the Cape at the time. He named it after his late wife, Elizabeth, who had died in India. The Donkin memorial in the CBD of the city bears testament to this. It was established by the government of the Cape Colony when 4,000 British colonists settled in Algoa Bay to strengthen the border region between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa. It is nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City". In 2019, the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee recommended that Port Elizabeth be renamed Gqeberha, after the Xhosa and Southern Khoe name for the Baakens River that flows through the city. The city's name change was officially gazetted on 23 February 2021, although the new name remained poorly used locally as of 2022.
Weather
Under the Köppen climate classification, the city has an oceanic climate. The area lies between the winter rainfall, Mediterranean climate zones of the Western Cape and the summer rainfall regions of eastern South Africa. Winters are cool but mild and summers are warm but considerably less humid and hot than more northerly parts of South Africa's east coast. The climate is very even throughout the year with extreme heat or moderate cold rare.
If you would like to check the weather, please visit Accu Weather at: https://www.bing.com/search?q=gqeberha+weather
Time difference: GMT + 2 hours.
Company/Organisation |
Telephone Number |
Email Address/Website |
---|---|---|
AA Emergency Breakdown | +27 (0) 83 843 22 or 083 THEAA | www.aa.co.za |
Aids Counselling | +27 (0) 41 453 2233 | |
Aids Help Line | +27 (0) 800 012 322 | |
Alcoholics Anonymous Area Service | +27 (0) 41 452 7328 or +27 (0) 861 435 722 | aape@interkom.co.za |
Ambulance | 10 177 | |
Crimeline | SMS 32211 | www.crimeline.co.za |
Disability | +27 (0) 82 290 3764 or +27 (0) 41 368 3707 | toni.webb@telkomsa.net |
Fire Brigade | +27 (0) 41 585 1555 | |
Garmed Ambulance | +27 (0) 41 373 6777 | |
Netcare 911 Ambulance Service | +27 (0) 82 911 | |
Netcare Greenacres Hospital Emergency Department | +27 (0) 41 390 7298 | |
Life Line (PE) | +27 (0) 41 373 8666 | |
National Sea Rescue Institute | +27 (0) 41 585 6011 | |
Police Flying Squad | 10 111 | |
Port Elizabeth Weather Office | 041 581 1476 | www.weathersa.co.za |
Located along Port Elizabeth’s Golden Mile with uninterrupted beach-facing views, the Boardwalk can host any event irrespective of the size.
With its convenient location to popular Port Elizabeth attractions, the Boardwalk International Convention Centre (ICC) offers a wide selection of conference venues and meeting rooms to suit any occasion. Ideal for corporate events, business banquets, conventions, concerts, conferences, exhibitions and weddings, our venues in Port Elizabeth can be customised to meet your exact requirements.