District · Eastern Cape Province
# Nelson Mandela Bay District

Nelson Mandela Bay District is a district or metropolitan municipality of South Africa in Eastern Cape Province. It had an estimated 1,230,491 people in 2020 on 1,957 km² (about 629 per km²). Its main town is Gqeberha. It is divided into 1 local municipalities. 189 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 3,194 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 1,230,491 people (2020)
- 1,957 km²
- 1 local municipalities
- 3,194 mapped services

## How many people live in Nelson Mandela Bay District?

Nelson Mandela Bay District had an estimated 1,230,491 people in 2020 — 18.9% of Eastern Cape Province, 11th of 50 districts. There are 1,050 women for every 1,000 men (below the Eastern Cape Province figure of 1,103). Spread over 1,957 km², that is about 629 people per km², 5th of 50 districts.

24.7% of people are children under 15 and 6.9% are 65 or older; the median age is about 31 years (it is 25 across Eastern Cape Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 46 children and older people.
- 0–4 101,696
- 5–9 106,455
- 10–14 95,188
- 15–19 94,416
- 20–24 98,540
- 25–29 102,828
- 30–34 112,846
- 35–39 103,830
- 40–44 88,001
- 45–49 72,807
- 50–54 65,147
- 55–59 56,319
- 60–64 47,187
- 65–69 35,562
- 70–74 23,949
- 75–79 15,394
- 80+ 10,326

Source: Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is Nelson Mandela Bay District?

Nelson Mandela Bay District lies in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It borders 1 other district: Cacadu District. By area it is the 51st largest of 52 districts in South Africa. It covers 1.2% of Eastern Cape Province. The centre of Nelson Mandela Bay District is about 933 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 211 km from Bhisho, the main town of Eastern Cape Province. The centre point is at 33.8019° S, 25.4749° E. Local names: NMA.

Source: South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around Nelson Mandela Bay District

OpenStreetMap lists 79 named sights in Nelson Mandela Bay District: 13 attractions; 13 nature reserves; 12 museums; 11 monuments; 9 beachs; 8 memorials; 5 ruins; 3 zoos; 2 viewpoints; 2 castles and forts; 1 gallery.
- Auto Pavilion · museum
- Bayworld: PE Museum · museum
- Despatch Museum · museum
- NMB Science & Technology Centre · museum
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum · museum
- No 7 Castle Hill · museum
- Prince Alfred Guard · museum
- Red Location Museum · museum
- South African Airforce Museum · museum
- South End Museum · museum
- St Croix Motor Museum · museum
- Uitenhage Old Railway Station Museum · museum
- Fort Fredrick · castle or fort
- Schoenies Fort · castle or fort
- Cape Recife Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Happy Valley Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Lady's Slipper Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Maitland Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Nelson Mandela University Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Pearson Park Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Port Elizabeth Voël-Reservaat · nature reserve
- Royalston Coastal Wildlife Estate · nature reserve
- Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Swartkops River Estuary · nature reserve
- The Island Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve · nature reserve
- Varsvlei Bird Sanctuary · nature reserve
- Bird Rock · beach
- Hobie Beach · beach
- Humewood Beach · beach

…and 49 more.

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Nelson Mandela Bay District
- Time zone UTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- Currency Rand (ZAR)
- Country calling code +27
- Languages Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug types Type C, D · 230 V
- Driving side Left
- Postcode format 4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports
- Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) · Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) 25 km
- King Phalo Airport (ELS) · East London 234 km

### Nearest railway station

Despatch (Nelson Mandela Bay), about 0.7 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.4 hours, sunrise around 05:01) and shortest in Jun (about 9.9 hours, sunrise around 07:20, sunset around 17:15).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Local municipalities of Nelson Mandela Bay District
| Local municipality | People | per km² | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| Nelson Mandela Bay | 1,230,491 | 629 | 1,957 | 189 | 3,194 |

Source: South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Villages and localities in Nelson Mandela Bay District

Open gazetteers list 189 villages, towns and localities in Nelson Mandela Bay District. The largest with a recorded population: Gqeberha (1,050,078), Kariega (291,052), Motherwell (140,351), New Brighton (47,917), Despatch (39,619) and Khaya Mnandi (5,500). Settlements here lie between about 6 m and 358 m above sea level (median 66 m).
- Adcock
- Adcockvale
- Alexander Park Industrial
- Algoapark
- Amanzi
- Amsterdamhoek
- Arcadia
- Barcelona
- Beachview
- Ben Kamma
- Bethelsdorp
- Beverley Grove
- Blikkiesdorp
- Blue Horizon Bay
- Bluewater Bay
- Booysen Park
- Bothasrus
- Brentwood Park
- Bridgemeade
- Broadwood
- Brymore
- Bulvlei
- Cannonvale
- Central
- Charlo
- Chatty
- Clarendon Marine
- Cleary Park
- Coega
- Colchester
- Colleen Glen
- Cotswold
- Cotswold Extension
- Deal Party
- Delarey
- Depus
- Despatch
- Donkinvale
- Dowerville
- Elundini
- Emerald Hill
- Fairview
- Ferguson
- Fernglen
- Fernwood Park
- Floral Park
- Forest Hill
- Framesby
- Francis Evatt Park
- Gelvan Park
- Gelvandale
- Glendinningvale
- Glenhurd
- Glenroy Park
- Govan Mbeki
- Gqeberha
- Greenacres
- Greenbushes
- Greenshields Park
- Gunguluza
- Hallack Rock
- Heath Park
- Helenvale
- Hillside
- Holland Park
- Humerail
- Humewood
- Hunter's Retreat
- Jacksonville
- Jarman Tsp
- Joe Slovo
- Jubilee Park
- Kabega
- Kamesh
- Kamma Park
- Kariega
- Kensington
- Khaya Mnandi
- King Neptune
- Kini Bay
- Kleinskool
- Korhaansdrif
- Korsten
- Kunene Park
- Kuscus Heights
- KwaDwesi
- KwaDwesi Extension
- KwaMagxaki
- KwaNobuhle
- KwaZakhele
- Kwanoxolo
- Laurie's Bay
- Linkside
- Linton Grange
- Loonatville
- Lorraine
- Lovemore Heights
- Lovemore Park
- Malabar
- Mangold Park
- Marais
- Markman
- Masibulele
- McLeanville
- Mill Park
- Millard Grange
- Miramar
- Missionvale
- Morningside
- Motherwell
- Motherwell 4
- Mount Croix
- Mount Pleasant
- Mount Road
- Mountain View
- Neave
- Neave Industrial
- New Brighton
- New KwaDwesi
- Newton Park
- Nickallsville
- Noordhoek
- North End
- Northdowns
- Olifants Kop
- Overbaakens
- Pari Park
- Parkside
- Parsons Hill
- Perridgevale
- Pollockshaws
- Port Elizabeth Airport
- Providentia
- Redhouse
- Retiefville
- Rosedale
- Rowallan Park
- Saint George’s Strand
- Salsoneville
- Salt Lake
- Sanctor
- Saweto-on-Sea
- Schauder
- Schauderville
- Scotswood
- Sea View
- Sherwood
- Sidwell
- Skoenmakerskop
- South End
- Soweto on Sea
- Springfield
- Steytler
- Struandale
- Summerstrand
- Sunlands
- Sunridge Park
- Swartkops
- Swinburne
- Sydenham
- Taybank
- The Springs
- The Willows
- Thomas Gamble
- Timothy Valley
- Van Der Stel
- Van Riebeekhoogte
- Van Stadens River Mouth
- Van Stadensriviermond
- Veeplaas
- Walmer
- Walmer Downs
- Walmer Heights
- Walmer South
- Wells Estate
- West End
- Westering
- Western Hills
- Westville
- Weybridge Park
- Windvogel
- Woodlands
- Young Park
- Zwide
- Zwide 1
- Zwide 2
- Zwide 3
- Zwide 4
- iBhayi

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of Nelson Mandela Bay District

Named natural and historic features inside Nelson Mandela Bay District, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

7 rivers and streams; 2 reservoirs and tanks; 2 lakes.
- Bakensrivier
- Brakrivier
- Coegarivier
- Elandsrivier
- Groendaldam
- KwaZunga
- Maitland River
- North End Lake
- Soutpan
- Swartkop-Soutpan
- Swartkopsrivier

### Coast and islands

3 beaches; 2 headlands.
- Beacon Point
- Chelsea Point
- Humewood Beach
- Pollok Beach
- Winterstrand

### Hills and mountains

8 hills; 1 peak; 1 mountain pass.
- Perdekop · 679 m
- Lady’s Slipper · 571 m
- Mieliekop · 251 m
- Buffelsrug · 225 m
- Lovemore Hill · 205 m
- Van Stadenspas · 145 m
- Coegakop · 140 m
- Landmanskop · 124 m
- Goewerneurskop · 49 m
- Recife Hillock · 23 m

### Forests and nature

1 forest reserve.
- The Island Forest Reserve

### Getting around

11 railway stations; 2 airfields; 2 lighthouses; 1 airport; 1 port.
- Aloes
- Cape Recife Lighthouse
- Coega
- Despatch
- Humewood Road
- New Brighton
- North End
- Port Elizabeth
- Port Elizabeth Airport
- Port Elizabeth Lighthouse
- Port of Ngqura
- Progress
- Redhouse
- Swartkops
- Sydenham
- Uitenhage
- Uitenhage

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Nelson Mandela Bay District and the best time to visit

In Nelson Mandela Bay District, the warmest month is Feb (average 22 °C) and the coolest is Jul (16 °C). About 436 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Mar (50 mm) and the driest Jun (23 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are January to December.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
| Month | Average °C | Rain mm |
| Jan | 22 | 38 |
| Feb | 22 | 33 |
| Mar | 21 | 50 |
| Apr | 20 | 38 |
| May | 18 | 28 |
| Jun | 16 | 23 |
| Jul | 16 | 34 |
| Aug | 16 | 45 |
| Sep | 17 | 29 |
| Oct | 18 | 43 |
| Nov | 19 | 42 |
| Dec | 21 | 33 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Nelson Mandela Bay District

Places mapped inside Nelson Mandela Bay District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 73
- Banks 165
- ATMs 112
- Petrol pumps 206
- Hotels 474
- Shopping malls 77
- Schools 1,102
- Colleges and universities 80
- Cinemas 7
- Pharmacies 142
- Restaurants 680
- Police stations 39
- Dental clinics 37

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers
- Where is Nelson Mandela Bay District? In Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Nelson Mandela Bay District? 1,230,491 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Nelson Mandela Bay District? About 31 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Nelson Mandela Bay District? About 629 people per km²
- What borders Nelson Mandela Bay District? Cacadu District
- What is there to see in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 05P Container Terminal, Anglo-Boer War Memorial, Apple Express Workshop, Art on Target
- What time zone is Nelson Mandela Bay District in? UTC+2
- What currency is used in Nelson Mandela Bay District? Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Nelson Mandela Bay District? Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 189 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Nelson Mandela Bay District? Settlements lie between 6 m and 358 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 2 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Nelson Mandela Bay District? Perdekop (679 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Nelson Mandela Bay District? January to December
- How many hospitals are in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 73 mapped
- How many banks are in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 165 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 112 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Nelson Mandela Bay District? 206 mapped
- What is the P-code of Nelson Mandela Bay District? ZA293 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: District
- Area: 1,957.2 km²
- P-code: ZA293
- Province: Eastern Cape Province
- Main town: Gqeberha

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Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/eastern-cape/nelson-mandela-bay/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.