Uitenhage Area Profile

Uitenhage at a glance

UITENHAGE AT A GLANCE: Part of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality.

Uitenhage, founded on 25 April 1804, is a South African town in the Eastern Cape Province. It is well known for the Volkswagen factory located there, which is the biggest car factory on the African continent. In 2001 Uitenhage was incorporated with the city of Port Elizabeth and the small town of Despatch, to form the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality

Population: 103 639

Uitenhage is 35minutes drive from the Port Elizabeth International Airport and also served by the Metrorail line to Despatch and Port Elizabeth.

Uitenhage has various primary and  high schools and the use of a Provincial hospital, as well as the Netcare Cuyler hospital.

Industries

Uitenhage is known for the large industries situated there. The largest of these industries are the Volkswagen and Goodyear factories. An automotive supplier park, Alexander Park Industrial, has also been created directly next to the Volkswagen factory, thus allowing automotive component manufacturers to construct their manufacturing plants close by.

Things to Do In Uitenhage/ Despatch  and surrounding areas

Groendal Wilderness and Blindekloof Hike:

Located about 8 km out of Uitenhage is the Groendal Wilderness Area, which features many lovely walking trails. 
The Blindekloof Trail is 16 km long, which will take about 4 hours to complete. An easy day's walk, 

VW Auto Pavilion:

The AutoPavilion, place of cars and legends, first opened its doors in 2004. This modern, state-of-the art heritage centre replaced the existing museum that housed Volkswagen SA's old vehicles. The multi-million Rand attraction is unique as it is the only automobile discovery centre in Africa and only the 5th worldwide.

Drostdy Museum:

The Drostdy Museum forms part of the Uitenhage Museum, as does the Cuyler Manor Museum and the Old Railway Station Museum. The Drostdy Africana Museum focuses on the development of the city and how it grew through the introduction of industries ranging from clothing, furniture and other items.

Uitenhage Golf Club:

Uitenhage Golf Club features a full 18-hole course in the lovely garden city of Uitenhage. 
Club facilities include a bar, halfway house, and a boardroom with function facilities.

Willow Dam:

Willow Dam is an open area where visitors and locals alike can kick back and relax.  Every last Sunday of the month the area around the dams transform into a local arts and craft market, with food stalls, second hand and car boot sellers.

Elands river Valley:

The untouched beauty of the Elands River Valley is part of the wonder of the Eastern Cape. ... The Elands River Valley is also renowned for the cheeses that it produces, as well as the delicious honey and muesli. ... Port Elizabeth is less than an hour's drive from the Elands River Valley.