Welcome to ‘The Friendly City’!
Introducing Port Elizabeth – South Africa’s ‘Friendly City’
Port Elizabeth, or ‘PE’ as it is known locally, is a Port City and holiday destination on the Eastern Cape Sunshine Coast of South Africa, known for its excellent beaches, water-sports, waterfront, wildlife attractions and not least for its friendly people – hence the name ‘The Friendly City’.
The city of Port Elizabeth is situated along the 16km coastline of Algoa Bay, incorporating the Algoa Bay Harbour and the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, and is also known as ‘Ebhayi’ (The Bay) in Xhosa or ‘Die Baai’ in Afrikaans. PE is also sometimes called the ‘Windy City’ thanks to the South-Easter that blows along the Algoa Bay coastline, sometimes making for your hair stick in your ice-cream cone, but also keeping the beaches and the surf breaks healthy, not to mention supporting a very strong sailing tradition and several annual regattas.
Finally, just to add to the name confusion, PE is also called Nelson Mandela Bay after South Africa’s most famous leader, and the city and suburbs from a large part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The Port Elizabeth Municipal area was officially renamed Nelson Mandela Bay after the 1994 democratic elections that marked the end of Apartheid, and while many still use the ‘traditional name’ honouring Queen Elizabeth, PE a city is proud of its association with the world renowned humanitarian and freedom fighter. Source
"With over 40 kilometres of wide beaches fronting a warm Indian Ocean, some excellent surf breaks and a constant fair wind for sailing, PE is a Watersports Mecca – often referred to as the “Watersports Capital of South Africa”.
Nelson Mandela Bay Marketing and Tourism
Tel: +27 (0)81 314 9814
Email: nelsonmandelabay@gmail.com