| Ezibeleni | |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa Eastern Cape#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -31.9°N 84°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Eastern Cape |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Chris Hani |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | Enoch Mgijima |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1974 |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 32.09 |
| Elevation M: | 3500 |
| Population Total: | 30113 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 99.3% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 0.1% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 0.1% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.5% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Xhosa |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 91.5% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | English |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 4.5% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 4.0% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 5326 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | 5326 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 047 |
Ezibeleni is a township in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was established in the 1960s and officially recognised in 1974, when black South Africans were not allowed to live, but only to work, in the white-dominated Queenstown. In order to pursue the policy of separate development, the apartheid-era government of the time dictated that, due to its location on the map and the predominant Xhosa ethnicity of its people, Ezibeleni would belong to Transkei, one of ten fragmented batustans, or homelands, scattered across South Africa.[2]
Ezibeleni is the largest township in the Queenstown area. Its original name was Queensdale, named after Queenstown. It is divided into zones (1, 2, 3, Chancele & Themba), with the new units; known as Kwamabuyaze (RDP houses) which is still expanding.
Komani River flows near or through various towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, including Ezibeleni. The Great Fish River is a significant watercourse in the region, and its proximity to Ezibeleni have environmental and cultural importance for the local community.[3] [4] [5]
The majority of people resident in Ezibeleni live below the living wage according to government economic classifications.[6] There are about 12 schools in the area, 4 lower primary, 3 senior primary, 3 lower high and 2 senior high schools.[7]
The township is known for being a home to some of the best local and school music choirs in the country, Siyaphakama Adult Choir and Bulelani Senior Secondary School [8] to name but a few. Bulelani has represented Eastern Cape in the school's music competitions many times in the last 2 decades and has won many of the South African National School's Choir Competitions.[9]
There is a vibrant social life with many church denominations and other social activities.[10]
However, according to Statistics South Africa, the area still has a very high unemployment rate.[11]
Resources are limited. The Buffalo City Metro, according to a report by Cogta MEC Zolile Williams, has 17 fire trucks of which seven are operational. The municipality needs an additional five firetrucks.[12]