Centane

Centane
Centane Centane Centane
Coordinates: 32°30′25″S 28°19′01″E
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	Amathole
Municipality	Mnquma
Area
• Total	4.39 km2 (1.69 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	1,456
• Density	330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
• Black African	96.2%
• Coloured	0.8%
• Indian/Asian	0.2%
• White	1.1%
• Other	1.7%
First languages (2011)
• Xhosa	93.2%
• English	1.7%
• Other	5.1%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Area code	4980

Centane, formerly Kentane or Kentani is a town in Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated at approximately 31 kilometres (19 mi) from Butterworth. This is the heartland of amaXhosa people (amaRharhabe and amaGcaleka), the Xhosa culture is still upholded in its highest regard in this region. AmaRharhabe Xhosa were moved here from Ciskei (Dikeni, Qonce, Bhofolo, Qoboqobo, Cumakala etc) after the war of 1878 (9th Xhosa war). The prominent Rharhabe Xhosa surnames (which were Rharhabe Xhosa councilors) such as Nxokwana (amaNtakwenda), Khantolo (amaQocwa), Mfaxa (amaNtlane), Gwadiso (amaDala), Somana (amaJwarha) were moved to Centane from Ciskei to join amaGcaleka Xhosa such as Maphasa (amaTshawe) and other clans who are native to Centane.

History

Centane was the site of the battle of Centane on 7 February 1878 during the ninth Frontier War, where in more than 300 Xhosa were killed for the loss of only two British soldiers.

The grave of the Xhosa king, Khawuta kaGcaleka (the father of Bhurhu kaKhawuta and Hintsa kaKhawuta) is in this town in the village of Njingini.

Nongqawuse was born in Centane in a village called Gxarra

Tourism

There are a number of beaches in Centane, including Qolorha By Sea, Mazzepa Bay and Wavecrest.

See also

• 2020 Centane bus crash

References

• Lettens, Jan (3 August 2010). "MV Jacaranda [+1971]". Wreck site. Retrieved 18 August 2021.