Nemato

Nelson Mandela Township

Nelson Mandela Township or Nemato is the township where Raymond Matinyana was born and where his family still lives.
The development projects of the Matinyana Fund are for this township.

Nelson Madela Township seen from the Kowie River

Maps

Nemato is a township of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is half way between East London and Port Elizabeth, 150km from both cities. 3 maps will show you South Africa, Port Alfred and the townships Nemato (former black township) and Station Hill (former coloured township). The last map gives you links to details and pictures of the two townships.

People

Life in the township has a very slow pace. People are very friendly and open. Everybody has time to have a chat with you. But it is not all fun. There are not many jobs, so unemployment is high and many people live in poverty without much hope for a better future. There is very little entertainment in the township what leads to high alcohol abuse. Aids is a very serious problem in the township.

Traditional rituals

Many old traditional rituals are still alive. Boys 'go to the bush' around the age of 18 to become men. Traditional doctors (amagqira) use herbs and rituals to solve physical and mental problems. Have a look at the picture series about rituals for a learner igqira (amagqira is plural, igqira is singural).

Schools

There are 5 schools in Nemato and Station Hill. With some new buildings all schools have proper buildings now, but with lack of funding and limited support from parents, the level of education in some schools is low. The Matinyana Fund donated computers, books and some other educational equipment to all 5 schools and helps with organising computer education.

isigezengi

This is a photo recipe for a traditional Xhosa meal called isigezenga (Xhosa) or dumpling (English). You see Lillian Nowatasa Tumani, mother of Raymond Matinyana, at work in her kitchen in her house in Nelson Mandela Township.

3 kids

A photo series of 3 young boys having fun.

Beach

Nemato is in walking distance of endless beautiful beaches. Even during the high holiday season in summer (December and Januari) there is still lots of space. With a little bit of luck you'll see more whales or dolphins than people. In the heart of the Sunshine Coast there are many days with beautiful weather and blue skies. In summer the average maximum temperature is 28C. Close to the Ocean it is never too hot. In winter the nights might be a bit chilly, but never freezing, and an average maximum temperature of over 20C is good for lots of nice beach days in winter as well. It can rain any time of the year, but 2 cloudy days in a row are very unusual. The temperature if the sea water is often nice for swimming, but you have to be a bit careful: the big waves can be very powerful.

Nelson Mandela Township or Nemato is the township where Raymond Matinyana was born and where his family still lives. The development projects of the Matinyana Fund are for this township. Maps Nemato is a township of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is half way between East London and Port Elizabeth, 150km from both cities. 3 maps will show you South Africa, Port Alfred and the townships Nemato (former black township) and Station Hill (former coloured township). The last map gives you links to details and pictures of the two townships.

People Life in the township has a very slow pace. People are very friendly and open. Everybody has time to have a chat with you. But it is not all fun. There are not many jobs, so unemployment is high and many people live in poverty without much hope for a better future. There is very little entertainment in the township what leads to high alcohol abuse. Aids is a very serious problem in the township.

Traditional rituals Many old traditional rituals are still alive. Boys 'go to the bush' around the age of 18 to become men. Traditional doctors (amagqira) use herbs and rituals to solve physical and mental problems. Have a look at the picture series about rituals for a learner igqira (amagqira is plural, igqira is singural).

Schools There are 5 schools in Nemato and Station Hill. With some new buildings all schools have proper buildings now, but with lack of funding and limited support from parents, the level of education in some schools is low. The Matinyana Fund donated computers, books and some other educational equipment to all 5 schools and helps with organising computer education.

isigezengi This is a photo recipe for a traditional Xhosa meal called isigezenga (Xhosa) or dumpling (English). You see Lillian Nowatasa Tumani, mother of Raymond Matinyana, at work in her kitchen in her house in Nelson Mandela Township.

3 kids A photo series of 3 young boys having fun.

Beach Nemato is in walking distance of endless beautiful beaches. Even during the high holiday season in summer (December and Januari) there is still lots of space. With a little bit of luck you'll see more whales or dolphins than people. In the heart of the Sunshine Coast there are many days with beautiful weather and blue skies. In summer the average maximum temperature is 28C. Close to the Ocean it is never too hot. In winter the nights might be a bit chilly, but never freezing, and an average maximum temperature of over 20C is good for lots of nice beach days in winter as well. It can rain any time of the year, but 2 cloudy days in a row are very unusual. The temperature if the sea water is often nice for swimming, but you have to be a bit careful: the big waves can be very powerful.