History of the Eastern Cape - Once Upon a Time
Steeped in a rich history and culture, this region is widely regarded as the crucible of modern South African history.

The original inhabitants, the San (Bushmen) left traces of their lives by way of rock paintings depicting not only their daily hunting practices, but also figures dreamt up during trance states.

Approximately 2000 years ago, the Nguni people entered the region, and brought with them cattle and crop farming.
Moving into the 18th and 19th centuries, colonialists entered the region and were met with the fierce resistance of the Xhosa people who had for centuries called this area home. Nine border wars were fought during the ensuing decades for control of the Eastern Cape.

During the apartheid years, the policy of "separate development" was applied by the formation of various "independent homelands" including the Ciskei and the Transkei. Major apartheid resistance movements, namely the African National Congress, the Pan Africanist Congress and the Black Consciousness Movement were born in the Eastern Cape, with some of the struggles major political figures, including Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Steve Biko and Thabo Mbeki hailing from this region.