PORT ALFRED

'Port Alfred' is a small town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated on the eastern seaboard of the country at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly half-way between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth and East London. One of its most distinctive features is a beautiful marina with a number of luxurious houses facing on to the canals. Associated with the marina is a small boat harbour, providing mooring for a variety of vessels from luxury yachts and other pleasure craft, to sporting and commercial deep-sea fishing vessels.Port alfred is home to Southern africa largest air school - 43 Airschool. The city enjoys a mild climate and award winning beaches, Kelly's beach has blue flag status, meaning it is one of the top beaches in South Africa. It is growing rapidly due to a high number of retirees and holiday makers building houses there.
Port Alfred has many activities for visitors including fishing, Scuba diving diving, canoeing, waterskiing and tubing. Other sporting activities include golf, hiking, horse trails and surfing.
Port Alfred also houses one of the newest educational institutes in Southern Africa, the Educational Institute for Service Studies (EISS). Being affiliated to a Dutch University,Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland, EISS offers state of the art Hospitality Education to students from Southern Africa and far beyond.

Contents

History

History

Port Alfred was established in the early 1820’s by the British settlers who had been moved into the area by Lord Charles Somerset as a buffer between the Western Cape and the Ama Xhosa. The leaders of some of the settler parties who helped settle in the area were William Cock and William Holder. The town’s original name was Port Kowie named after the river which runs through the town. Later when Queen Victoria’s son Prince Alfred visited the name was changed to honour him.