Bedford, South Africa

Last updated
Bedford
Nyarha
Bedford Presbiteriaanse kerk.jpg
Presbyterian Church in Bedford
South Africa Eastern Cape location map.svg
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Bedford
South Africa adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bedford
Coordinates: 32°41′S26°05′E / 32.683°S 26.083°E / -32.683; 26.083
Country South Africa
Province Eastern Cape
District Amathole
Municipality Raymond Mhlaba
Established1854 [1]
Area
[2]
  Total
14.6 km2 (5.6 sq mi)
Elevation
740 m (2,430 ft)
Population
 (2011) [2]
  Total
8,770
  Density600/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[2]
   Black African 68.9%
   Coloured 27.1%
   Indian/Asian 0.1%
   White 3.2%
  Other0.7%
First languages (2011)
[2]
   Xhosa 63.5%
   Afrikaans 29.7%
   English 4.5%
  Other2.2%
Time zone UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
5780
PO box
5780
Area code 046

Bedford or Nyarha is a town in the centre of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in the mid-19th century when Sir Andries Stockenstroom sold portions of land from his farm Maastroom to raise funds for the restoration of his library, which had been burnt by British soldiers mistrustful of his attempts to broker peace in one of the Cape Frontier Wars. The farm is still there and open for visitors.

It is located on the southern edge of the Winterberg mountain range, in the Smaldeel (a narrow strip of grassland running laterally from Fort Beaufort to Somerset East, renowned for its sweet grass). The town suffered a major decline in fortunes in the latter half of the 20th century before reviving itself around the turn of the millennium. It is regarded today as an artist's haven and retirement village.

Bedford has the following locations or human settlements; Town, New Brighton, Coloured Valley, Nonzwakazi, Bhongweni, Ndlovini, Khayelitsha, Polar Park, New Rest and Goodwin Park

The lack of industry in the town, while a boon to those hoping to escape the rat race, means that the town has a large unemployment rate. The woes of the poor are exacerbated by a high HIV-AIDS infection rate.

Bedford is home to two high schools namely; Templeton High School, situated in the suburban part of the town and Lonwabo Senior Secondary School, situated in Circular Drive in the Polar Park Location. Other than that there is a Model C school, Bedford Country School situated just behind the Public Library in town . Nonyameko Junior Primary School is situated in the Nonzwakazi Location just as is Ntlama Higher Primary School. Bedford Primary School is situated in the Coloured Location of Bedford.

The Bedford Provincial Hospital is situated in Maitland Street, three blocks northwest of the town's centre. Other healthcare centres include the Town Clinic in the suburban part of the town and Mzamohle Clinic in the location part of the town.

Most tourists visit Bedford to experience true South African farm living. It is also known for the garden festival where people who live in the town and surrounding farms get to show case their gardens and other creative art work.

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References

  1. Robson, Linda Gillian (2011). "Annexure A" (PDF). The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact (PhD thesis). University of Pretoria. pp. xlv–lii. hdl:2263/26503.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Sum of the Main Places Bedford, Nonzwakazi and Nyara from Census 2011.