Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality is one of eight metros in South Africa, on Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. The 2022 census counted 1,190,496 people across 1,957 km². It was established on 5 December 2000, uniting Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch with the surrounding farmland, and later renamed after Nelson Mandela.
Suburbs and Townships in Nelson Mandela Bay
| Place | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gqeberha | City | Formerly Port Elizabeth; administrative seat |
| Kariega | City | Formerly Uitenhage; vehicle-manufacturing hub |
| Despatch | Town | Brick and tile industry |
| Khaya Mnandi | Township | Residential area |
| Colchester | Village | Coastal settlement near Sundays River mouth |
Other suburbs, townships and localities recorded across the metro:
- Adcock
- Algoapark
- Amanzi
- Amsterdamhoek
- Beachview
- Bethelsdorp
- Blikkiesdorp
- Blue Horizon Bay
- Bluewater Bay
- Booysen Park
- Bothasrus
- Bulvlei
- Cannonvale
- Clarendon Marine
- Coega
- Cotswold
- Deal Party
- Delarey
- Depus
- Donkinvale
- Dowerville
- Emerald Hill
- Fairview
- Ferguson
- Fernglen
- Framesby
- Gelvandale
- Glendinningvale
- Glenhurd
- Greenacres
- Greenshields Park
- Gunguluza
- Hallack Rock
- Holland Park
- Humewood
- Hunter’s Retreat
- Jarman Tsp
- Jubilee Park
- Kabega
- Kamesh
- Kensington
- King Neptune
- Kini Bay
- Kleinskool
- Korhaansdrif
- Korsten
- KwaMagxaki
- KwaNobuhle
- KwaZakhele
- Lorraine
- Lovemore Heights
- Lovemore Park
- Malabar
- Marais
- Markman
- McLeanville
- Millard Grange
- Missionvale
- Motherwell
- Motherwell 4
- Mount Pleasant
- Mount Road
- Mountain View
- Neave
- New Brighton
- Newton Park
- Noordhoek
- North End
- Northdowns
- Olifants Kop
- Parkside
- Parsons Hill
- Perridgevale
- Pollockshaws
- Port Elizabeth Airport
- Redhouse
- Retiefville
- Rosedale
- Rowallan Park
- Saint George’s Strand
- Salsoneville
- Saweto-on-Sea
- Schauder
- Schauderville
- Scotswood
- Sea View
- Sidwell
- Skoenmakerskop
- South End
- Springfield
- Struandale
- Summerstrand
- Sunlands
- Sunridge Park
- Swartkops
- Swinburne
- Sydenham
- The Springs
- The Willows
- Thomas Gamble
- Van Riebeekhoogte
- Van Stadensriviermond
- Veeplaas
- Walmer
- Walmer Heights
- West End
- Westering
- Westville
- Windvogel
- Zwide
Geography
Nelson Mandela Bay sits on Algoa Bay, at the mouths of the Baakens and Swartkops rivers, with the Sundays River mouth and Colchester marking its eastern edge. Sandy beaches and dune fields run along most of the coastline, giving the metro its reputation for beach tourism, while the Zwartkops and Baakens river valleys cut inland through the urban area. It is a metropolitan municipality with no district affiliation; the nearest local municipalities are Kouga to the west and Sunday’s River Valley to the north-east.
Demographics
Population grew from 1,152,115 in 2011 to 1,190,496 in 2022, keeping Nelson Mandela Bay among South Africa’s largest metros. Most residents live in the townships and suburbs surrounding central Gqeberha and Kariega, including New Brighton, Motherwell, KwaNobuhle and KwaZakhele, alongside more affluent coastal suburbs such as Summerstrand and Humewood.
Economy and Local Life
Manufacturing drives the economy, contributing about a third of output — led by vehicle assembly in Kariega and the Coega industrial development zone near the port, home to plants supplying both domestic and export markets. Community services account for roughly 27%, and tourism is growing around the metro’s Blue Flag beaches at Humewood, Summerstrand and Kings Beach. The Port of Ngqura at Coega and the older Port Elizabeth harbour both handle significant cargo volumes, reinforcing the metro’s role as a logistics hub for the wider Eastern Cape.
History
Port Elizabeth was founded in 1820 as a British settler port, taking its name from the wife of the colony’s acting governor, and grew through the 20th century into a major manufacturing centre thanks to its natural harbour and rail links inland. Uitenhage, older still, developed separately as an inland market town before the two were merged with Despatch into a single metropolitan government in 2000. Both cities were renamed — Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha and Uitenhage to Kariega — in 2021, restoring names with roots in the area’s Khoikhoi and Xhosa heritage.
Getting There
Gqeberha’s Port Elizabeth Airport handles domestic and regional flights. The N2 links the metro to Buffalo City and Cape Town, and the N10 runs north toward the Karoo.
FAQ
What is the seat of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality?
Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).
What towns make up Nelson Mandela Bay?
Gqeberha, Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch, plus surrounding suburbs and farmland.
What is the population of Nelson Mandela Bay?
1,190,496 people (2022 census), up from 1,152,115 in 2011.
When was Nelson Mandela Bay established?
5 December 2000.
What is the main industry?
Manufacturing, especially vehicle assembly, at about a third of economic output.