| Bedford Nyarha | |
|---|---|
 Presbyterian Church in Bedford | |
  BedfordShow map of Eastern Cape BedfordShow map of South Africa | |
| Coordinates: 32°41′S 26°05′E / 32.683°S 26.083°E / -32.683; 26.083 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Amathole |
| Municipality | Raymond Mhlaba |
| Established | 1854 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 14.6 km (5.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 740 m (2,430 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 8,770 |
| • Density | 600/km (1,600/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 68.9% |
| • Coloured | 27.1% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.1% |
| • White | 3.2% |
| • Other | 0.7% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Xhosa | 63.5% |
| • Afrikaans | 29.7% |
| • English | 4.5% |
| • Other | 2.2% |
| 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.
References
- 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.
- ^ Sum of the Main Places Bedford, Nonzwakazi and Nyara from Census 2011.
External links
- http://www.bedford.co.za/ - The Bedford Homepage.
| Municipalities and communities of Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape | ||
|---|---|---|
| District seat: East London | ||
| Amahlathi | .svg) | |
| Great Kei |
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| Mbhashe |
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| Mnquma |
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| Ngqushwa | ||
| Raymond Mhlaba |
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