Mqanduli

Mqanduli
Mqanduli Show map of Eastern Cape Mqanduli Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 31°49′S28°45′E / 31.817°S 28.750°E / -31.817; 28.750
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	O.R. Tambo
Municipality	King Sabata Dalindyebo
Area [1]
• Total	9.88 km2 (3.81 sq mi)
Population  (2011) [1]
• Total	2,647
• Density	270/km2 (690/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
•  Black African	99.1%
•  Coloured	0.3%
•  Indian/Asian	0.3%
•  White	0.2%
• Other	0.1%
First languages (2011) [1]
•  Xhosa	94.7%
•  English	2.5%
• Other	2.8%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	5080
PO box	5080
Area code	047

Mqanduli is a town in OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Village 30 km south of Mthatha and 22 km north-east of Elliotdale. Named after a nearby hill; of Xhosa origin, the name is said to mean 'grindstone-maker', after a person living there. ^[2]

Geography

Mqanduli is located inland from the Wild Coast at approximately 31°49′01″S28°45′00″E / 31.817°S 28.750°E / -31.817; 28.750 . The town covers an area of about 9.88 km². It is situated roughly 30 km south of Mthatha and about 22 km north-east of Elliotdale. ^{[3] [4]}

Name and history

The name Mqanduli is of Xhosa origin and is said to derive from a nearby hill; local tradition reports the meaning as "grindstone-maker", named for a person associated with the place. ^{[5] [6]}

Demographics

At the time of the 2011 national census the population of the main place of Mqanduli was recorded as 2,647 people. The population is predominately Black African and the dominant first language is Xhosa (2011 figures: Black African ≈ 99.1%; Xhosa ≈ 94.7%). ^{[7] [8]}

Economy and services

Mqanduli functions as a local service centre for surrounding rural villages. The local economy is predominantly rural and community-oriented, with services, small-scale retail and subsistence agriculture in the wider area. ^[9]

Notable people

• Bantu Holomisa — prominent South African politician. ^[10]
• Thandiswa Mazwai — singer-songwriter. ^[11]

References

1. "Main Place Mqanduli". Census 2011.
2. "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 319.
3. "Main Place: Mqanduli — Census 2011". Adrian Frith (derived from Statistics South Africa). Retrieved 21 August 2025.
4. "Mqanduli (Eastern Cape, South Africa) - CityPopulation". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
5. Raper, P. E. (1987). Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (PDF). Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Retrieved 21 August 2025.
6. "Mqanduli". South African History Online. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
7. "Main Place: Mqanduli — Census 2011". Adrian Frith (derived from Statistics South Africa). Retrieved 21 August 2025.
8. "Mqanduli (Eastern Cape, South Africa) - CityPopulation". CityPopulation.de. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
9. "Mqanduli". South African History Online. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
10. "Mqanduli". South African History Online. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
11. "Thandiswa Mazwai". Wikipedia. Retrieved 21 August 2025.