Bhisho
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Bhisho, formerly known as Bisho, is the capital of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The Provincial legislature and many other government departments are headquartered in the town. Bhisho lies just north of the former provincial capital King William's Town. The town is also host to the longest international airport runway in Southern Africa.
Bhisho is the Xhosa word for buffalo, which is also the name of the river that runs through this town.
[edit] Former capital of the Ciskei
Under its former name of Bisho, it was the capital of the former bantustan of Ciskei. Ciskei was nominally granted independence in 1981, although this was never recognised outside South Africa, and was reincorporated into South Africa in 12 August.
[edit] Bisho massacre
On 7 September 1992, this small town became the scene of what is known as the Bisho Massacre, when about 100 000 people marched on Bisho protesting for the dismantling of the Ciskei, which still maintained a measure of independence, and removal of Ciskei leader Brigadier Oupa Gqozo. The Ciskei Defence Force opened fire, shooting dead 29 people. The massacre came at a critical time when negotiations towards democracy were underway.
[edit] External links
- Bhisho is at coordinates Coordinates:
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Municipalities and Communities of Amatole District Municipality, Eastern Cape District Seat: East London |
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| Local municipalities |
Buffalo City • Mnquma • Mbhashe • Amahlathi • Nkonkobe • Ngqushwa • Great Kei • Nxuba |
| Cities and towns |
Cathcart • Stutterheim • Kei Road • East London • King William’s Town • Mdantsane • Bhisho • Komga • Kei Mouth • Hagga-Hagga • Morgan’s Bay • Chintsa • Dutywa • Willowvale • Elliotdale • Gcuwa • Nqamakwe • Centane • Peddie • Hamburg • Seymour • Fort Beaufort • Alice • Middledrift • Bedford • Adelaide • Hogsback |
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