Lesseyton

Lesseyton
Lesseyton

 Lesseyton shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 31°49′59″S 26°45′58″E / 31.833°S 26.766°ECoordinates: 31°49′59″S 26°45′58″E / 31.833°S 26.766°E
Country South Africa
Province Eastern Cape
District Chris Hani
Municipality Lukhanji
Area[1]
 • Total 2.53 km2 (0.98 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 2,715
 • Density 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 99.4%
 • Indian/Asian 0.1%
 • Other 0.4%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Xhosa 97.5%
 • English 1.1%
 • Other 1.4%

Lesseyton is a town in Lukanji Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, located 14 km northwest of Queenstown. Almost all residents are Xhosa speakers. Lesseyton has two schools: the Lesseyton Primary School and Ndlovukazi Public High School.

Lesseyton was established as a mission station of the Wesleyan Missionary Society in 1847. The people were all Thembu, who mostly retained their customary cultural and religious beliefs. In 1851, a war broke out between the Xhosas and the Cape colonial authorities, and many Thembus joined the hostilities against the colonial government. The Thembus at Lesseyton, however, remained loyal to the British, and fought the rebellion as part of the "Lesseyton Volunteers".[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Lesseyton". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ The Progress of His Royal Highness, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, Through the Cape Colony, British Kaffraria, the Orange Free State, and Port Natal, in the Year 1860. S. Solomon. 1861. p. 71.