Makana Local Municipality

Makana Municipality is located in the Eastern Cape Province on the south –eastern
seaboard of South Africa. With the cities of Port Elizabeth 120km to the west and East
London 180 km to the Makana Municipality is strategically situated between two of the
province’s largest industrial centre. Both coastal cities are serving by well equipped
container ports and have major airports linking them to Cape Town, Durban and
Johannesburg.
Makana Municipality consists of 14 wards in which 3 are found in the rural areas of the
Municipality. However, for the next electoral term, the Municipality will have 14 wards.
Towns and Villages of Makana Municipality:

Grahamstown:
At the heart of Makana Municipality lyes the city of Grahamstown, situated 55 km from the
coast and 535 m above sea level, Grahamstown is famous as one of the leading cultural,
educational, tourist centres and host of National Arts Festival in South Africa.

Alicedale:
Owing its existence to the development of the railways, the station at Alicedale is a vital link
between the Makana region and the main railway line between Port Elizabeth and
Johannesburg.

Salem:
The Methodist Church founded Salem in the mid 1820s. It is famous for its many fine
buildings and also for the historic negotiations between Richard Gush and the approaching
Xhosa during the War of Hintsa, when the Xhosa agree to leave village in peace.

Riebeeck East:
The Dutch Reformed Church established the village of Riebeeck East in 1830 on the farm
Mooimeisiesfontein, the home of the famous Voortrekker leader Piet Retief, Riebeeck East
is now in the midst of a game and sheep farming area and offers many attractions and
hiking trails through the surrounding diverse and beautiful hills.


Seven Fountains:
This farmers’ community derived its name from seven springs located on different farms in
area.
Fort Brown:
Established as a military post in 1817, the gun tower and adjoining walls of the fort,
overlooking the Great Fish River and central to a number of major game reserves, are a
national monument