Gonubie
Gonubie Show map of Eastern Cape Gonubie Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 32°56′35″S 28°00′29″E / 32.943°S 28.008°E / -32.943; 28.008
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
Municipality	Buffalo City
Area [1]
• Total	10.11 km2 (3.90 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	11,471
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,900/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	26.7%
• Coloured	2.6%
• Indian/Asian	1.4%
• White	68.5%
• Other	0.8%
First languages (2011) [1]
• English	56.6%
• Afrikaans	20.5%
• Xhosa	19.7%
• Other	3.2%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	5256
PO box	5256
Area code	043

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

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

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.

The relative isolation of Gonubie from the rest of East London has allowed the town to retain its laid-back coastal atmosphere therefore appealing to those who sought to live conveniently far enough from the city.

Geography

Gonubie is situated approximately 18 kilometres (11,2 miles) north-east of East London on the mouth of the Gqunube River with a little break between the town and the northern outskirts of East London to the south.

Transport

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