Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is a metro in the Eastern Cape built around East London, Bhisho and Qonce (King William’s Town). The 2022 census counted 975,255 people across 2,752.6 km². It was established as a local municipality in 2000 and upgraded to metro status on 18 May 2011, separating from Amathole District Municipality.
Suburbs and Townships in Buffalo City
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| East London | City | Largest city, port and administrative seat |
| Mdantsane | Township | One of South Africa’s largest townships |
| Bhisho | Town | Eastern Cape provincial capital |
| Qonce | Town | Formerly King William’s Town |
| Dimbaza | Town | Former Ciskei industrial town |
| Gonubie | Suburb | Coastal residential area |
Other suburbs, townships and localities recorded across the metro:
- Almondale
- Amalinda
- Arcadia
- Balasi
- Bay View
- Beacon Bay
- Blue Bend
- Bonza Bay
- Braelynn
- Breidbach
- Buffalo
- Buffalo Flats
- Buffalo Harbor
- Bulembu
- Bunkers Hill
- Cambridge
- Christmas Vale
- Cyprus Dale
- Dongwe
- Donny-brook
- Ducats
- Duncan Village
- Dyam-Dyam
- Eluxolweni
- Ententeni
- Fort Grey
- Fort Murray
- Gately
- Ginsberg
- Gompo
- Gonubie Manor
- Gonubie Park
- Gqola
- Greenfields
- Gulu
- Hanover
- Igoda Mouth
- Ilitha
- Jafta’s
- Jojweni
- Kayser’s Beach Road
- Khiwane
- Kidd’s Beach
- Kiwane
- Kom Nader
- Kwa-Altile
- Kwa-Ngcamama
- KwaMasingatha
- KwaMdingi
- KwaMpundu
- KwaPosi
- KwaSandile
- Kwelera
- Lujiza
- Lushington
- Macleantown
- Mamata
- Mcotsho
- Mdantsane N
- Mdantsane Unit 5
- Mdantsane Unit 6
- Mncotsho
- Mngoesha
- Mozana
- Nahoon
- Ndevana
- Newlands
- Ntabozuko
- Old Green River
- Orange Grove
- Park Ridge
- Peelton
- Phakamisa
- Pirie Mission
- Potsdam
- Punzana Location
- Quigney
- Rocklands
- Sandile
- Schornville
- Shwele-Shwele
- Southernwood
- Sunnyridge
- Sunrise
- Sunrise-on-Sea
- Thorn Ridge
- Tshabo
- Tyusha
- Vincent
- West Bank
- Willow Park
- Windbreak
- Winterstrand
- Xamini
- Zhikova
- Zwelitsha
Geography
Buffalo City sits on South Africa’s only river port, at the mouth of the Buffalo River, with a mild climate and around 850mm of rain a year. The urban area runs from the coast at East London inland to Bhisho and Qonce, with Mdantsane township occupying the hill country between them. It is a metropolitan municipality bordered by Amathole District Municipality, which it separated from in 2011.
Demographics
Population grew from 781,853 in 2011 to 975,255 in 2022. Mdantsane, one of South Africa’s largest townships, accounts for a substantial share of that growth, alongside the coastal suburbs of East London and the smaller urban centres of Bhisho and Qonce.
Economy and Local Life
Manufacturing leads the economy, anchored by Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s assembly plant next to the port, which builds vehicles for export. The Buffalo River port supports further industrial and logistics activity, and Bhisho’s role as the Eastern Cape’s provincial capital brings government employment to the metro. Gonubie and other coastal suburbs support a modest tourism trade along East London’s beachfront.
History
East London was founded in 1836 as a landing point for British settlers and grew into South Africa’s only river port, shipping wool and other goods from the Eastern Cape interior. Qonce, then King William’s Town, served for a time as capital of British Kaffraria and later as an important Ciskei-era administrative centre, while Bhisho was purpose-built as the Ciskei’s capital before becoming the Eastern Cape’s provincial seat after 1994. The metro took its current form in 2000 and was upgraded to metropolitan status in 2011.
Getting There
East London has its own airport with domestic flights. The N2 links the metro to Nelson Mandela Bay and Mthatha, and the N6 runs inland toward Stutterheim and Queenstown.
FAQ
What is the seat of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality?
East London.
What towns make up Buffalo City?
East London, Bhisho, Qonce (King William’s Town) and Mdantsane township.
What is the population of Buffalo City?
975,255 people (2022 census), up from 781,853 in 2011.
When did Buffalo City become a metro?
18 May 2011, separating from Amathole District Municipality.
What is the main industry?
Vehicle manufacturing, led by the Mercedes-Benz plant near the port.