Cofimvaba is a small town situated along the R61 Provincial Route in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, approximately 79 km east of Komani (formerly known as Queenstown) on the route to Butterworth (also known as Gcuwa), in Thembuland.
This small town was probably named after the nearby stream, which, after rains, froths turbulently and resembles milk. The name is also said to be derived from cofa, “press”, mvaba, “milk-bag” (of goat-skin), done to break lumps of sour milk. Another explanation is that the sound of the water gurgling over the rocks is reminiscent of the splashing of milk in the bag when shaken.
The town of Cofimvaba falls within the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality and the Chris Hani District Municipality. It is the main town and administrative centre/seat of Intsika Yethu Local Municipality.
The town of Cofimvaba is the birthplace of Chris Hani, the former leader of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC).
The town has a hospital called Cofimvaba Hospital, as well as two high schools, Cofimvaba High School and St. James High School.
History
The village of Cofimvaba was probably established in 1877 when the magisterial seat for Thembuland (which had originally been located at St Mark’s) was transferred to a more accessible location.
