Port Elizabeth is a small city (pop. 1.1 million) situated along the shores of Algoa Bay on the south east coast of South Africa. Depending on whether you live here or not it is known as either The Friendly City or The Windy City (jealousy makes you nasty). The area encompassing Port Elizabeth, Despatch and Uitenhage have been amalgamated into a single municipality and it was named Nelson Mandela Bay. The city is in a friendship partnership with the Swedish City of Gothenburg and is a sister city to the American cities of Jacksonville, Florida and Palm Desert, California.

The area around Algoa Bay was first settled by indigenous tribes many centuries ago. The San and Khoisan people were amongst the first inhabitants and the Xhosa tribe followed. The first European visitors were the Portuguese who named it Algoa Bay. Next came the Dutch who, in 1752, erected a beacon of possession at the mouth of a river, which they named the Baakens (the Dutch for beacon). Algoa Bay remained uninhabited until 1799 when the British, during the Napoleonic Wars, built Fort Frederick, named after the Duke of York. This fort, built to protect against a possible landing of French Troops, overlooked the site of what later became Port Elizabeth and is now a monument.

Port Elizabeth was founded in 1820 when 4,000 British Settlers landed in Algoa Bay. The Acting Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Rufane Donkin, named the town after his late wife, Elizabeth, who had died in India two years earlier. He erected a stone pyramid in her memory on Donkin Hill near the lighthouse. The plaque on the pyramid is inscribed: One of the most perfect of human beings who has given her name to the town below. The town expanded as other immigrants followed and particularly rapidly so after 1873 when the railway to Kimberley was built. In 1861 the town was granted the status of autonomous municipality.

On Donkin Hill you will find the historic Donkin Houses. The Donkin Houses are a row of eighteen terraced houses dating from the Victorian architectural period. They were built during the 1850's and have changed very little since, needing only a face-lift in the mid 1960’s. It was also during this period that the efforts of various pressure groups ensured that these historic houses were declared National Monuments. All but one of the 18 Donkin Houses carry the badge of the National Monument Council. The majority of them are currently utilised as office space for local businesses.

The Port Elizabeth City Hall is the centrepiece of the Market Square in the Central Business District. It was constructed between 1858 and 1862. The clock tower was added in 1883. It was declared a National Monument in 1973. Currently it serves as the Council Chamber and also as a lecture hall and concert venue. I feel that the City Hall, and the market square itself, lost a lot of its beauty and character in the 1970's when some idiot, in the name of progress, decided to replace the existing traffic circle with brick paving. The traffic circle was a most attractive feature with the Diaz Cross in the centre.

The Main Library is situated opposite the Market Square and faces City Hall. It was constructed in 1835 and served as a courthouse until 1902 when the library was officially opened. It's regarded as an excellent example of Victorian Gothic architecture. In the 1960’s there were plans to demolish the building in order to make way for the erection of a Provincial Administration block. Fortunately, this never happened, and in 1983, the building was declared a historic monument. Especially interesting is the fact that its facade was manufactured in England, shipped to South Africa, and reassembled piece by piece. In front of the library stands a marble statue of Queen Victoria, which was unveiled in 1903.

St George's Park has been a recreational centre for the city since the 1850's. It has well-landscaped gardens covering 73 hectares, a swimming pool, childrens' playground and includes the world famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, where the first rugby and cricket tests on South African soil were played. The oldest bowling green in South Africa will also be found here. The park features the 1882 Edwardian Pearson Conservatory, a national monument filled with orchids, water lilies and other exotic plants. Every second Sunday of the month the park plays host to a vibrant arts and crafts fair.

The Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment Complex is situated on the Port Elizabeth beachfront, overlooking Hobie Beach. In addition to the obvious casino it hosts a variety of restaurants, curio shops, cinemas, an amphitheatre, a conference centre and outdoor activities for the whole family. Every October the KTV Market Day for young entrepeneurs is held on the premises and during the Easter Holidays the annual Splash Festival is co-hosted by the Boardwalk Complex and Hobie Beach. The Lighthouse, situated on the same premises, offer tenpin bowling and laser games.

Port Elizabeth have some of the best beaches in South Africa, including two Blue Flag beaches, Humewood Beach and Wells Estate. Hobie Beach and King's Beach are other well known beaches. Hobie Beach is probably the beach preferred by most locals as it is situated within walking distance of the Boardwalk Casino Complex and its secure parking fascilities.

Planning to visit Port Elizabeth, go to the African Dusk website for a variety of interesting tours in and around Port Elizabeth, and also further afield.