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East London

East London is a city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It serves as the country's only river port and is situated at the mouth of the Buffalo river on the Indian Ocean coast. The city is the second-largest urban centre in the Eastern Cape after Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and functions as an important industrial and commercial hub for the region. East London has a population of about 478 000 in its metropolitan area. The city's economy is anchored by manufacturing, particularly automotive assembly, with major plants operated by Mercedes-Benz South Africa, as well as port operations, retail and services. East London is home to significant infrastructure including an international airport and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality administrative centre. The city also serves as a gateway to the Wild Coast and the former Transkei region. East London was founded in 1836 as Port Rex by Sir Benjamin D'Urban and was later renamed. It developed as a frontier settlement and grew substantially during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as a port and industrial centre, playing a notable role in South Africa's automotive manufacturing sector from the mid-twentieth century onward.

East London Updates


Seelan Gobalsamy, Group CEO of Omnia Holdings
Seelan Gobalsamy
1st May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

This week we profile Seelan Gobalsamy, Group CEO of Omnia Holdings, a globally diversified chemicals group that operates in 23 countries across the mining and agriculture sectors 


Amazon, WomHub launch sustainable women-led incubator programme
30th April 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Online retailer and cloud computing provider Amazon and enterprise advisory firm WomHub have launched the Amazon Sustainable Sellers Incubator – a nine-month programme designed to empower 35 South... 


EFF leader Julius Malema
Mixed reactions to Malema’s five-year sentence
16th April 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Mixed reactions have emerged following the sentencing of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema in his 2018 firearm case, with some opposition parties and civil society organisations... 


EFF leader Julius Malema
Malema back in court as prosecutors seek 15-year prison sentence
15th April 2026 By: Reuters

South African opposition politician Julius Malema was back in court on Wednesday, as prosecutors pushed for him to be given the maximum 15-year prison sentence for firing a rifle in the air at a... 


Fidelity SecureFire private fire protection service
Private fire response network continues roll-out
26th March 2026

Subscription-based private fire response network Fidelity SecureFire has expanded operations to George in the Western Cape. The initiative was started in Gauteng in 2023 and has been rolled out... 


Haval 6 plug-in hybrid vehicles
Great Wall Motor eyes plant options in South Africa
19th March 2026 By: Reuters

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is weighing whether to share a manufacturing facility with another carmaker in South Africa or acquire an existing plant if available and has held talks... 


An artist's impression of the Mtentu bridge
N2 bridge projects delayed by struggling local steel sector, construction challenges – Sanral
10th March 2026 By: Irma Venter

Construction work on the multibillion-rand Mtentu and Msikaba bridge projects in the Eastern Cape are both facing renewed delays, says the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). The... 


The Mercedes Benz plant in East London, South Africa
Mercedes considers sharing South Africa plant with China’s GWM
10th March 2026 By: Bloomberg

Mercedes-Benz Group is considering sharing its manufacturing plant in South Africa with Great Wall Motor Co (GWM), a move that could boost the facility’s viability as US trade tariffs take effect,... 


An image of a rail yard
Rail reform puts investment on track
6th March 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Recent regulatory developments and proposed reforms in South Africa’s freight rail sector are having a meaningful influence on investor confidence by unlocking new opportunities while also... 


Anything is possible: from a Spur waitress to a design engineer
Anything is possible: from a Spur waitress to a design engineer
5th March 2026

Sometimes all it takes is one person to buy into your dream. Tania Seeger learned this valuable lesson 23 years ago when a GIBB team member took her under her wing and helped her fly. Born and bred... 


Fidelity SecureFire rolls out in George to strengthen Fire Response across South Africa
2nd March 2026

Fidelity Services Group is proud to announce that as part of its national roll out, Fidelity SecureFire, South Africa’s leading subscription-based private fire response network, is now live in... 


Image of first sod turning on the Latimer project on October 21, 2025. From left: TNPA acting GM Magenthran Ruthanevelu, TNPA acting CE Phyllis Difeto, Eastern Cape transport and community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha and East London port manager Sphiwe Mthembu.
Latimer’s Landing, South Africa
23rd January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Latimer’s Landing will pave the way for the waterfront development of the Port of East London. 


WASAA founder and MD Nokwanele Qonde
25-year deal signed for new Port of Durban LPG terminal
12th December 2025 By: Terence Creamer

A 25-year terminal operator agreement to develop and operate a new R1.4-billion liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal at the Port of Durban’s Island View precinct has been concluded. The deal was... 


An image of autos at TPT
TPT records strong performance in automotive imports and exports
12th December 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has recorded a 17% year-on-year increase in the handling of vehicles being imported and exported by sea, four months before the end of the 2025/26... 


Siyavuya Power Projects CEO Graham Roebuck
Siyavuya Power Projects delivers major energy transition milestone
10th December 2025

Enabling access to South Africa’s growing renewable energy generation capacity by addressing its transmission network constraints is a vital step in advancing the country’s energy transition. The... 


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pqt: 0.081s - ct: 0.146s - 258pq - 2rq
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