The Transkei & Nelson Mandela's house and village...

Good Evening Everyone,

 

After leaving Cintsa on the "Wild Coast", we took a bus through an area of the country called "The Transkei".  This is are area of South Africa along the Indian Ocean coast, but I did not know anything about its interesting history until our bus driver told us.  The Transkei gets its name from one of the rivers that forms its border called the Kei River.  The Transkei used to be it's own separate country inside South Africa.  I don't know how independent since I think that guide said they received financial support from the South African government.  It was the poorest part of South Africa and most of the people lived a more traditional lifestyle.  I want to say it is somewhat analogous to a really large Indian reservation in the US.  I am sure there are major differences, but that is the closest comparison I can think of at the moment.  In any case, after the fall of Apartheid, the Transkei was reincorporated into South Africa proper.  This area was also Nelson Mandela's home.  He has a house (a pretty damn nice one compared to the rest) in his village.  He

spends most of his time in Johannesburg though.  The pic attached is his village house.  You can see some of the traditional "Rondavels" in the background.  These cylindrical, mud homes with thatched or sheet metal roofs are the dominant home style in this region. 

 

 

Cheers,

 

Sean