Bedford, Eastern Cape

Bedford is a rural town in the centre of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in the mid-19th century when Sir Andries Stockenstroom sold portions of land from his farm Maastroom to raise funds for the restoration of his library, which had been burnt by British soldiers mistrustful of his attempts to broker peace in one of the Cape Frontier Wars. The farm is still there and open for visitors.

Bedford
Presbyterian Church in Bedford
Bedford
Bedford
Coordinates: 32°41′S 26°05′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceEastern Cape
DistrictAmathole
MunicipalityRaymond Mhlaba
Established1854[1]
Area
 • Total14.6 km2 (5.6 sq mi)
Elevation
740 m (2,430 ft)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total8,770
 • Density600/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African68.9%
 • Coloured27.1%
 • Indian/Asian0.1%
 • White3.2%
 • Other0.7%
First languages (2011)
 • Xhosa63.5%
 • Afrikaans29.7%
 • English4.5%
 • Other2.2%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
5780
PO box
5780
Area code046

It is located on the southern edge of the Winterberg mountain range, in the Smaldeel (a narrow strip of grass land running laterally from Fort Beaufort to Somerset East, renowned for its sweet grass). The town suffered a major decline in fortunes in the latter half of the 20th century before reviving itself around the turn of the millennium. It is regarded today as an artist's haven and retirement village.

The lack of industry in the town, while a boon to those hoping to escape the rat race, means that the town has a large unemployment rate. The woes of the poor are exacerbated by a high HIV-AIDS infection rate.

The Bedford Provincial Hospital is situated in Maitland Street, three blocks northwest of the town's centre.

Most tourists visit Bedford to experience true South African farm living.

References
  1. "Chronological order of town establishment in South Africa based on Floyd (1960:20-26)" (PDF). pp. xlv–lii.
  2. Sum of the Main Places Bedford, Nonzwakazi and Nyara from Census 2011.
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