The Friendly City - Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, situated in the Eastern Cape is South Africa’s fifth largest city and one of the leading ports. The city is vibrant and easy-going and national and international known as the “The Friendly City”. 

 The city was named in 1820 by the acting British Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Rufane Donkin, after his wife Elizabeth who died in 1818 in India. In 1820, the settlement was a small cluster of houses on the coast, protected by Fort Frederick on top of a nearby hill. Since then the city has grown to a city with a population of more than 700 000. 

The good-natured environment, the warm atmosphere of its lazy beaches and its warm, temperate climate all work together to make Port Elizabeth an engaging tourist destination. 

Port Elizabeth is ideally situated as base for coastal day drives to beautiful places such as Bluewater Bay, Schoenmakerskop, Seaview, and Van Staden’s River Mouth or inland to Groendal Wilderness Area, Addo Elephant National Park or Uitenhage Nature Reserve.

There is no shortage of things to do in and around Port Elizabeth. There is an abundance of historical sites, museums and monuments dating back to the 15th century; you can visit the Oceanarium; climb the Campanile; or snorkel and scuba in excellent diving spots. 

There are also other sea-related sports - boating, yachting, wind-surfing and angling. There are also interesting hiking trails through historic parks and nature reserves. 

Holiday accommodation is top-notch - from self-catering establishments to luxurious hotels and lodges, at prices to suit everybody.

Do not forget the many shopping malls and several fine restaurants. And, naturally the city has a good selection of wide, gently sloping beaches that are safe for swimming.

Come experience the friendliness of the Friendly City!

By Danie De Villiers - Freelance Writer

Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square, Soweto, Gauteng

The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square... the jewel of Soweto!

Nestled in the heart of Kliptown is one of Soweto’s first 4-star hotels: The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square. Catering for locals and visitors alike, the hotel offers delectable cuisine, luxurious accommodation, and soulful jazz with a distinct cultural flavour, intermingled with contemporary flair. This gem instils a sense of pride and nostalgia, captured by the eclectic collection of jazz and historical memorabilia, which form the backdrop of the hotel’s stylish interior décor.

This 4-star facility has 46 Deluxe Standard Rooms and 2 Presidential Suites (including a paraplegic room). Inter-leading rooms are available for families and groups. Rooms are equipped with televisions (with a broad bouquet of local and international channels), coffee/tea making facilities, wireless connectivity, hairdryers, and in-room safes. Room service, laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available. The hotel also has three boardrooms seating six, eight and 14 guests each and fully equipped with AV equipment.

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The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square is also the proud home of the Jazz Maniacs Restaurant. This restaurant is named after the famous 50’s band, the Jazz Maniacs, whose pictures adorn the walls of the restaurant. This elegant, 60-seater restaurant is open daily to the public as well as resident guests, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Exquisite menus adapted to retell the history and heritage of Soweto are captured in the township continental breakfast of sautéed chicken livers and traditional dumpling (ujeqe), magwinya (vetkoek) and atchar and the ever-famous “Russian” sausage reminiscent of township fare. The breakfast buffet also offers an array of hot porridges such as Palishi (maize meal porridge), Mdoko or Ting (sour porridge) and Mabele Meal (sorghum porridge) as well as Continental and Full English breakfast options.

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The hotel chef is Jafta Hatshejame, a recent addition to the Soweto Hotel’s kitchen, who leads his team to develop typical township, traditional fare, adapted for all palates. His buffet features mogodu (tripe) and mnqushu (samp and beans), morogo and roasted butternut, just to name a few favourites. Comfort food just like Gogo used to prepare it!

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Estuary Country Hotel, Port Edward, Kwa-Zulu Natal

The Estuary Country Hotel provides luxury KwaZulu-Natal accommodation, whether for a holiday, conference or a romantic honeymoon.

The Estuary Country Hotel provides guests on their KwaZulu-Natal holiday with elegant South Coast accommodation. Originally built in 1941 as a Manor House in the Cape Dutch Style, the Estuary Country Hotel has been transformed into a private hotel, restaurant, spa and conference centre. This KwaZulu Natal hotel is situated just outside Port Edward and is only a few steps from the beautiful Silver Beach.

Guests at the Estuary Country Hotel will appreciate the effort that was taken to retain the Manor House’s grand atmosphere and home away from home ambience. This South Coast KwaZulu-Natal hotel is ideal for hosting dream weddings and conferences.

Guests staying at the Estuary Country Hotel will be able to relax in comfort and luxury. Participate in some of the many available activities, such as an indulgent South African spa treatment, scuba diving or horse riding.

Guests staying at the Estuary Country Hotel can enjoy fine dining at one of the top five restaurants on the South Coast. The Fish Eagle Restaurant provides guests with scrumptious cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients.

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