Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BUF) is a Category A municipality situated on the coast of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Overview

Type of municipality:Metropolitan (Category A)
Province:Eastern Cape
Municipal code:BUF
Seat:East London
Wards:50
Total area:2,750 km² (1,062 square miles)
Population:975,255 (in 2022)
Controlling party:ANC
Mayor:Princess Faku

About

Named after the Buffalo River, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality was initially established as a local municipality under Amathole District Municipality in 2000.

On Wednesday 18 May 2011, it was converted into a metropolitan municipality after being separated from its parent district.

It covers an area of 2,750 km² (1,062 square miles) and has a coastline of 68 kilometres with eight exciting beaches, making it ideal for family fun, exploring, and hosting all sorts of events, which have included the world-acclaimed Buffalo Regatta and the Ironman half challenge.

The municipality is home to Eastern Cape’s provincial headquarters which are located in Bhisho.

The City is one of two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, the other being Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

Buffalo City is also one of the eight Metropolitan Municipalities in South Africa, the other seven being the City of Cape Town, eThekwini, Mangaung, Nelson Mandela Bay, the City of Ekurhuleni, the City of Johannesburg, and the City of Tshwane.

Buffalo City is also home to several investors like Johnson & Johnson and Mercedes-Benz South Africa. In fact, Daimler AG through its wholly owned subsidiary Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has a large assembly plant located next to the port of East London, which produces a variety of vehicles for export.

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality is considered to be the gateway to the province due to its central location and logistics advantage, boasting air, road, rail, and sea logistics.

Map

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Map
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Map.

Population

According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality has a population of 975,255 residents, compared to 834,997 in 2016, and 781,853 in 2011.

The municipality has a population growth per annum of 2.15%.

According to the 2022 Census, 24.8% of the population is under the age of 15, 67.4% is between 15 and 64, and 7.8% is over 65.

Racial makeup

According to the 2022 Census, 84.7% of the population in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 8.4% as White, 5.2% as Coloured, and 1% as Indian/Asian.

Languages

According to the 2022 Census, 78.8% of the population speaks isiXhosa as their first language, 11% speak English, 7.2% speak Afrikaans, and 3% speak other languages.

Economy

The city’s main economic sectors are community services, finance, manufacturing, trade, and transport.

Municipal council and management

A 100-member city council governs the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

Controlling PartyANC
Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party)ANC: 61
DA: 20
EFF: 13
ACDP: 1
AIC: 1
ATM: 1
PAC: 1
UDM: 1
VF PLUS: 1
Executive MayorPrincess Faku
Deputy Mayorn/a
SpeakerHumprey Maxegwana
Chief WhipNtombizandile Mhlola
Other Council Members– Graham Lottering (MMC: Sport and Community Development)
– Sangweni Matwele (MMC: Spatial Development Planning)
– Noma-Afrika Maxongo (MMC: Finance Services)
– Malibongwe Mfazwe (MMC: Human Settlements)
– Helen Neale-May (MMC: Health and Safety)
– Sixolisiwe Ntsasela (MMC: Economic Development and Agencies)
– Kayise Tom (MMC: Corporate Service)
– Yomelela Tyali (MMC: Infrastructure Services)
– Clara Yekiso-Morolong (MMC: Community Services)
Municipal ManagerMxolisi Yawa
Chief Financial OfficerNtsikelelo Sigcau
Senior Management– Vuyani Lwana (HOD: Health and Public Safety)
Nonceba Mbali-Majeng (HOD: Spatial Development Planning)
– Luyanda Mbula (HOD: Human Settlements)
– Bob Naidoo (HOD: Corporate Services)
– Noludwe Ncokazi (HOD: Economic Development)
– Nceba Ncunyana (HOD: Infrastructure Services)
– Ncumisa Sidukwana (HOD: Executive Support Services)
– Howard Sikweza (Acting HOD: Sports, Recreation and Culture)
– Yoliswa Sinyanya (HOD: Solid Waste)
Communications OfficersSamkelo Ngwenya

Towns/Places

Below are the towns/places in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

  • Beacon Bay
  • Berlin
  • Bhisho
  • Breidbach
  • Dimbaza
  • East London
  • Kidd’s Beach
  • Mdantsane
  • Phakamisa
  • Potsdam
  • Qonce
  • Zwelitsha

Contact details

The contact details of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality are listed in the table below.

Postal address:PO Box 134, East London, 5200
Physical address:117 Oxford Street, Cnr North & Oxford Streets, Trust Centre Building, East London
Telephone:043 722 0660 Mon-Fri: 08:00 – 16:30
086 111 3017 After Hours
Fax:043 722 0660
Fire & Emergency Services (24/7):043 705 9000
Metro Police:– 043 722 1819
– 043 722 1836
Fraud hotline:080 066 8413
Email:customercare@buffalocity.gov.za
Website:www.buffalocity.gov.za