Middledrift, also known as iXesi, is a small town situated along the R63 Provincial Route in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, approximately 105 km north-west of East London.
The town lies on the Keiskamma River, 19 km south-east of Dikeni (formerly Alice) and 42 km north-west of Qonce (formerly King William’s Town).
Middledrift falls within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality and the Amathole District Municipality, in an area that was formerly part of the Ciskei.
Middledrift is the birthplace of advocate Bulelani Ngcuka and anti-apartheid activist Wilton Mkwayi, as well as author/reporter Noni Jabavu.
History
Middledrift was founded in 1853 and laid out in 1882. At first known as Beaconsfield, it was renamed after its situation at a ford (Dutch: drift) between two others.
Due to corruption and mismanagement of funds, especially by governing officials from the African National Congress (ANC), Middledrift has become a wasteland, and most of the residents nearby have to travel to Alice (officially renamed Dikeni) for shopping and services.
