Gonubie is a beachside town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Gonubie
Gonubie is located in Eastern Cape
Gonubie
Gonubie
Gonubie is located in South Africa
Gonubie
Gonubie
Gonubie is located in Africa
Gonubie
Gonubie
Coordinates: 32°56′35″S 28°00′29″E / 32.943°S 28.008°E / -32.943; 28.008
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceEastern Cape
MunicipalityBuffalo City
Area
 • Total10.11 km2 (3.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total11,471
 • Density1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African26.7%
 • Coloured2.6%
 • Indian/Asian1.4%
 • White68.5%
 • Other0.8%
First languages (2011)
 • English56.6%
 • Afrikaans20.5%
 • Xhosa19.7%
 • Other3.2%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
5256
PO box
5256
Area code043

Named after the Gqunube River to the north, the name is said to be derived from Khoekhoen and to mean 'bramble river', after Royena growing there.[2]

About Gonubie

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Gonubie has about 11,500 residents, who reside in the lower income area of Mzamomhle, the middle income area of Riegerton Park, and the majority of the residents residing in the middle to upper income bracket avenues and streets. Gonubie has 18 avenues and 12 streets. There is also the lavish riverside area, which is a popular tourist destination. Gonubie main beach is a beautiful sandy beach with a boardwalk of international standard. In 2010/11 Gonubie Beach was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag beach award. The river serves as a great place for activities such as canoeing and kayaking.

Gonubie is today being developed as a residential exurb just outside the city of East London and has become a bedroom community with much of its working population commuting to East London to work or study.

Geography

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Gonubie is situated approximately 18 kilometres (11,2 miles) north-east of East London on the mouth of the Gqunube River.

Transport

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Gonubie is bypassed by the major N2 freeway to the west, routing traffic heading north from East London towards Mthatha. Gonubie is connected to the N2 by Main Road at the exit 1054.

Main Road (M10) is the sole access route into Gonubie and serves as the main thoroughfare through the coastal town leading from the main beach towards Beacon Bay and East London to the south.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Main Place Gonubie". Census 2011.
  2. ^ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 183.