Bisho Attractions

Bisho, 60km/37mi northwest of East London, was capital of the Ciskei, declared an "independent homeland" in 1982. (Ciskei, in which 97% of the population were Xhosa, had been granted domestic self-government in 1972). This state, which was not recognized outside South Africa and was not economically viable, was reincorporated in the Republic of South Africa when the transitional constitution came into force on April 27th 1994.

The town was founded only in the 1970s, succeeding Zwelitsha, 15km/ 9mi south, which had previously served as the administrative center of the Xhosa people.

The townscape of Bisho is dominated by a number of modern office and government buildings. Befitting its role as one-time capital of Ciskei, it has a large airport.