Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa’s important sea ports. The city, the largest in the Eastern Cape, lies on the south-eastern coastline of South Africa. It is known for its sunshine, temperate climate, exhilarating sea breezes and magnificent golden beaches.

 

The city forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality – which unites, Uitenhage and Despatch – and is named after South Africa's former President, humanitarian and world icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who was born and spent his formative years in the Eastern Cape.

 

About 1.5 million people inhabit Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality area, making it South Africa's fifth largest city in population size and the second largest in area.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s economy is based primarily on the automotive industry with General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford and others operating from this area. Port Elizabeth is also the closest city to the Coega Industrial Development Zone.

Event experience
Port Elizabeth has excellent and varied sporting facilities. Its many active sports clubs cater for bowling, golf, tennis, badminton, squash, volleyball, pool, darts, athletics, cycling as well as seasonal sports such as soccer, rugby, hockey, roller hockey, cricket, motor racing and more.

Among the major events the city has hosted are:
● the 1996 African Cup of Nations
● four matches during the 1995 Rugby World Cup
● international test cricket and one-day matches
● the semi-finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
● In 2004, Nelson Mandela Bay hosted the inaugural Ironman South Africa

● Triathlon championship and was awarded the enviable status of host city until 2008.
● Other major events on the Nelson Mandela Bay calendar include the Splash  Festival, which is the second largest beach and water sports festival in the southern hemisphere and attracts some 300 000 participants annually.