About Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay

Port Elizabeth – The Friendly City

You probably know Port Elizabeth as “The Friendly City”, even though, on some days when cricket is played at the well-known St Georges, a few have dubbed it “The Windy City”. Perhaps in November this might be close to the truth – but locals don’t like the nickname much! Throughout the year, though, its first title holds true: it is always friendly.

But what lies behind the inhabitants of this warm city’s smiles?

Maybe one should consider its history – from the initial San, Khoisan and, later, Xhoza inhabitants, to when one the first colonial settlers landed on iBhayi’s shores, Port Elizabeth’s role in creating South Africa’s democracy, and its current position as one of the budding cities in the nation.

Perhaps one could look to statistics for the answer to PE’s charm. With its one and a half million inhabitants, it is a small city by some standards. But this is also a greater number of individuals than some small countries boast. The “small-city-big-town” label is one I gladly accept. PE does have all the charm of a small town. It has a sense of community; there are always familiar faces when you do your shopping, the travel distances are shorter and there is less congestion… But it also boasts many of the comforts of a large city. There are malls – both large and small, including the ever-popular Greenacres and Walmer Park – and beaches as well as trendy restaurants and nightclubs to enjoy in almost every suburb. You are sure to find a restaurant, coffeeshop, pub or club wherever you go: from Summerstrand and Humewood to Walmer, Central, Lorraine, Westering, Seaview and Beachview.

Simply put, PE offers its lucky inhabitants and visitors the best of both worlds.

In fact, PE also has another trick up her sleeve for visitors: stunning natural geological extremes. From the gorgeous Ladyslipper mountain range that offers hiking initiates and -professionals a wonderful place to explore, to our beaches, PE is beautiful. Our pristine blue flag beaches – Hobie, Pollock and Kings Beach – offer surfers, beach babes and families a place to spread out their towels and catch up on their tans or their reading. We are fast on our way to becoming the watersport capital of South Africa, with local event organisers ensuring that there are always water- and other sport activities to enjoy.

Fitness fanatics truly come from far and wide to enjoy the sporting activities along Port Elizabeth’s beachfront, Humewood and Summerstrand. Large international events such as the annual Ironman as well as smaller local races are always well-attended and well-supported.

But there is more to PE than just relaxation. Businesses – especially the motorindustry – form the economic backbone of Port Elizabeth. It’s a town teeming with young, energetic entrepreneurs. The students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University come from far and wide to get their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at this university on the southern tip of Africa, and often stay long after their studies have been completed.

Port Elizabeth also means business when it comes to the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010, and its dazzling Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host numerous matches during this major international event. According to local newspaper The Herald, the almost-50 000 seater arena has been given a smiling thumbs-up from FIFA after being the first stadium to be completed.

Port Elizabeth is World Cup-ready, but, even though this coastal paradise is teeming with success-stories, the Friendly City has not lost its smile, its atmosphere, nor the closeness of its inhabitants. One of the locals’ favourite sayings when meeting someone for the first time is: “You look so familiar”.

Where ever one looks for the secret behind Port Elizabeth’s permanent smile, one can come to only one conclusion: PE has the rhythm of a big city, but its heart remains that of a town.

Related Pages

• About Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth

  Find out more about Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth.

• Port Elizabeth's University

  Find out more about NMMU - The Nelson Mandela Metro University, formerly known as UPE.

• Port Elizabeth Schools

  Look here to find out more about Port Elizabeth schools: including Alexander Road High School, Collegiate, Framesby, Grey and Woodridge.

• About Humewood, Port Elizabeth

  Find out more about Humewood, one of Port Elizabeth's beach-front suburbs.

• About Walmer, Port Elizabeth

  Find out more about Walmer, one of Port Elizabeth's most popular suburbs.

• About Lorraine, Port Elizabeth

  Visiting or moving to Lorraine? Get some more information about one of Port Elizabeth's youngest suburbs here.

• Greenacres Shopping Centre

  Find out more about the Greenacres Shopping Centre in Port Elizabeth.

• Port Elizabeth Newspapers

  Interested in marketing your business in Port Elizabeth, South Africa? Click here to find out more about our local newspapers: The Herald, The Weekend Post, The PE Express and Die Burger...

• About Port Elizabeth Weather

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• The Eastern Cape

  Information on the eastern province of South Africa: the Eastern Cape - home province of Port Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela himself.

• Nelson Mandela

  Find out more about the story of Nelson Mandela - the father of democracy for South Africa.

• On-line Map

  Need a to get around Port Elizabeth? Have a look at the on-line map, or if you're planning on visiting, consider buying a printed version...

• 2010 World Cup

  Information about the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Port Elizabeth.

• The History of Port Elizabeth

  The history of Port Elizabeth, known also as 'Algoa Bay,' 'Nelson Mandela Bay', 'The Friendly City' or 'The Windy City.'

• Have Your Say

  Have something random to say about Port Elizabeth? Have you recently visited us? Feel free to do it here...

• About South Africa

  Some information on the beautiful country that Port Elizabeth calls its home, on the continent of Africa: South Africa.