Grahamstown
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Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. Its population is 62,000 (www.citypopulation.de, 2005).
Located some 140km from Port Elizabeth and 180km from East London. Grahamstown is generally regarded as a city as it is the seat of the a Municipality, Rhodes University, an Anglican Diocese and a High Court. However it does not form part of the South African Cities Network (see List of cities in South Africa). It is fast becoming one of South Africa's most popular destinations.
History
It was founded in 1812 as a military outpost by Lieutenant-Colonel John Graham as part of the effort to secure the eastern frontier of British influence in the then Cape Colony against the Xhosa. Grahamstown grew during the 1820s as many 1820 Settlers and their families left farming to establish themselves in more secure trades. In a few decades it became the Cape Colony's second largest city after Cape Town. It became a bishopric in 1852.
In 1904 Rhodes University College was established in Grahamstown. It has grown into one of South Africa's most elite tertiary institutions with an excellent reputation for academic endeavour and excellence.
With the establishment of the Union of South Africa the Grahamstown High Court became a Local Division of the newly formed Supreme Court of South Africa (under Cape Town). However after several years the court was elevated to a Provincial Division and a Local Division was established in Port Elizabeth. In certain other areas of provincial government Grahamstown similarly served as a centre for the Eastern Cape.
In 1994 Grahamstown became part of the newly established Eastern Cape Province, while Bhisho was chosen as the provincial capital.
Religion - 'The City of Saints'
The Anglican Cathedral of St Michael and St George is a diocesan seat of the Church of the Province of South Africa. Grahamstown also has Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Ethiopian Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Pinkster Protestante, Dutch Reformed (Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk), Charismatic, Apostolic and Pentecostal churches. There are also meeting places for Hindus, Scientologists, Quakers, and Muslims.
For historic reasons, particularly the vibrancy of evangelism during Grahamstown's heyday, the City is home to more than forty religious buildings and the nickname the "City of Saints" has become attached to Grahamstown.
Education, Arts and Culture
Grahamstown is home to many schools as well as Rhodes University.It is also the home to several institutes, most importantly the South African National Library for the Blind, the National English Literary Museum, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (formerly the JLB Smith Institute), and the Institute for the Study of English in Africa.Two large festivals take place annually in Grahamstown: the National Arts Festival in June/July and the Sasol SciFest in March. The National Arts Festival is the largest Arts festival in Africa and sees some of the leading talent on the South African and international art scene arriving in Grahamstown for a celebration of culture and artistic expression.
List of Schools
St Andrew's College (1855 - Anglican) St Aidan's College (18?? - Jesuit - now defunct) Graeme College (1873 - Non-denominational) Diocesan School for Girls (1878 - Anglican) Kingswood College (1894 - Methodist) Victoria Girls' High School (1897 - Non-denominational) P.J. Olivier (1956 - Afrikaans)Press
Grahamstown is home to the oldest private newspaper in South Africa. It is presently a local newspaper operated by the School of Journalism & Media Studies at Rhodes University under the name [Grocott's Mail].Government
Grahamstown forms part of the Makana Local Municipality in the Cacadu District.Grahamstown is a seat of the High Court of South Africa (for the Eastern Cape)as well as the Magistrates Office for the Albany District.
Trivia
Grahamstown was the only settlement outside Cape Town to host a sitting of the Cape Colony legislature (a move to defuse a call for the creation of a separate colony). Grahamstown was the location of the testing of the first diamond find by Henry Galpin. Grahamstown has the "tallest toilet in the world" (housed in an abandoned chimney).See also
External links
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