Butterworth (also known as Gcuwa) is a settlement in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Butterworth has a population of 287,780 and is situated 111 km north of East London on the N2 national highway in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.[1][2][3]
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The area around Butterworth was populated by Khoi San people, however they were gradually absorbed into the isiXhosa people who arrived from further North.
Butterworth was first established as a Wesleyan mission station in 1827 north of the Great Kei River in British Kaffraria. It was named after Joseph Butterworth. The mission station white settlement of Butterworth was burnt down 3 times during the Cape Frontier Wars.[2] Nonetheless, it is the oldest white settlement in Eastern Cape. When the British seized the Cape of Good Hope, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The town was close to the seat of Hintsa ka Khawuta, chief of the Gcaleka people of the Xhosa tribe. It was, then, of great strategic importance.
Around that that time, a young girl, Nongqawuse, had a vision that her forebears would help the Xhosa drive the English out. The disastrous result weakened the Xhosa. The Ninth Frontier War spelled the end of the Xhosa and the Transkei (as the Dutch named Eastern Cape) area was incorporated into the Cape Colony. But it was never quiet. There were raids between settlers and Xhosa, and turf wars between different Xhosa groups. Missions were established here and there to try to bring Christianity to the people, with limited success.[4]
At the end of the Frontier Wars in 1878, traders began to settle here and the town has grown to become a small industrial centre. Butterworth became a municipality of the Cape Colony in 1904. The town was incorporated into the former Transkei bantustan during the apartheid years. It is one of the fastest growing towns in terms of the economy and the population.[5]
The town is overwhelmingly Black and Xhosa-speaking. According to the 2001 South African census, the "main place" of Butterworth had a population of 45,900. Of these, 45,142 (98.4%) were recorded as "Black", 345 (0.8%) as "Coloured", 213 (0.5%) as "Indian or Asian" and 200 (0.4%) as White. The most predominant language spoken at home was Xhosa (96.9%), followed by English (1.7%) and Afrikaans (0.5%). The town is 57% Female and 43% Male.
Butterworth is the main service area for Mnquma municipality, contributing 77% of the GDP in the municipality and is an important town in the new South Africa. It now has several major industrial sites, including Zitulele and Ibeka, on its outskirts. Its industries produce processed food, beverages, tobacco products, beer, textiles, clothing, leather goods, wood and wood products, chemicals, and rubber and plastic products. It is on the Umtata-East London railway line, and locally -brewed Castle Lager is considered a world class beer.
Butterworth's town area is relatively small, including a small business district of middle-to-high income housing. The town, established exclusively “white” before 1976, has since been occupied largely by black high-income groups. White occupancy has not re-established post-1994. The ethnic make up now consists of white, black, 'colored' and Indian. Development in Butterworth has followed the line of the N2 and thus resulted in a long, narrow settlement east of town towards Walter Sisulu University (WSU), about 5 km away. The N2 also runs through the CBD, which results in a clash of uses and congestion, with high speed transport movements using the same space as pedestrians, hawkers and public service functions.[6] [7]
Tourism is important to this friendly little town. Attractions include Bawa Falls, Birding, Cape Vulture Colony, Collywobbles on Mbashe River, Cultural significance, Gcuwa River Cascades and Historical sights. The small town of Butterworth is surrounded by a beautiful countryside. People can go for day walks to the nearby villages such as Tobashana and experience the hospitality of traditional Xhosa living. Gcuwa dam provides for a man-made lake, perfect for boating and fishing. Visitors to Butterworth will taste the flavor of the true South Africa.
Nearby Bawa Falls on the Qolora River, have a sheer drop of nearly 300 ft, and are truly magnificent. The dirt path which leads to them is just west of town and is quite an adventure. Winding through the Transkei countryside, little has changed little in the past 100 years The district is attractive and scenic with its almost ever-green thorn trees and tropical flowers. The Bawa Falls on the Qolora river has a sheer drop of nearly 300 ft. and is a popular picnic spot. The more adventurous camp overnight. And so also The Cascades on the Gcuwa (Butterworth) river with a reputed fall of 270 ft. Butterworth is the starting point for a number trips.
The supreme being among the Xhosa is called uThixo. Christianity in one form or another is accepted by most people today. Cultural traditionalists are likely to belong to independent denominations that combine Christianity with traditional beliefs and practices.
The Church of the Province of Southern Africa has played an important role in the life of the Butterworth community. Today, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu is seen as a significant spiritual leader. St Peter's Church is a beautiful example of 19th Century colonial architecture.[1][2][3]
