Intsika Yethu Municipality Tourism Department
Intsika Yethu Municipality is composed of two towns, Cofimvaba and Tsomo. It is a home of political icons like Chris Hani, King Dalindyebo Mathanzima, Trom, Dyantyi and Vuyisile Mini. Arts & Craft, Nature, Agriculture, Wildlife and Culture are the most priority sectors dominate for the local and economic benefits of this area.
Intsika Yethu Municipality (IYM) is one of the eight local municipalities that form part of the Chris Hani District Municipality in Eastern Cape Province.
IYM is sharing boarders with four different local municipalities in the district which are as follows: Engcobo, Sakhisizwe, Emalahleni and Lukhanji.
Intsika Yethu has identified great potential for rural and urban economic development through the promotion of responsible tourism and agriculture within the area. Tourism is one of the major pillars for development for IYM as the area is predominantly rural.
Transportation
The mode of transport that operates within Intsika Yethu area is the land transport. There is transit route across IYLM areas which is the R61 route from Queenstown passing Cofimvaba and Tsomo to Umtata.
Vision
Become responsible and sustainable tourism destination of choice for historical, cultural and adventurous experiences in the Eastern Cape.
Mission
Revisiting of tourist at IYLM as one of the tourism destination of choice in the Eastern Cape Province. Our mission is to use local tourism strategy which is the responsible government to ensure sustainable tourism development occur in midlands of this province.
Art and Craft Industries
We support robust creative art and craft industries, predominantly comprised of women from deep rural backgrounds.
This ensures that they produce art and craft products that are rooted in isiXhosa culture and other cultures that make up the Eastern Cape province as a whole.
You can find some of our crafters below:
Name | Contact details | Location |
Andiswa Bala | 071 925 9932 | Tsomo town |
Mandla Nkombi | 072 688 1333 | Tsakana location (Lubisi) |
Nelisa | 083 559 7288 | Tsomo town |
Tourist attractions found in Tsomo and Cofimvaba
That’s where the battle of Ngqwarhu territory took place on 14 November 1880 and also where the battle of Kaffrarian Mounted Volunteers (Baron Van Linsigen) was killed.
The Mabelentombi hiking trail was developed and launched 21 September 2024.
This is the first MK Commander to be executed in South Africa During the apartheid time.
A writer, poet, and composer. The stone is situated inside the Tsomo Town Hall.
we have 5 racing grounds (Matholany’ile, St Marks, Bilatye, Maya and Nquqhu). We host a race in each ground on monthly basis and in total we have 12 races annually.
this can be also considered one of our geographical features that are found in IYLM.
It was built in 1875, and the structure still exists in Tsomo Mission.
Old Anglican Church that has existed since 1853. This church is located 500M away from old Cofimvaba town (Isivivana).
St Marks Rock Art paintings available well nearby for viewing.
This is the Grave of B.Trom and a monument of late comrade T. Dyantyi who died at the hands Rhodesian Security Forces during the Wankie campaign of 1969 and comrade Trom was arrested in 1971 and died in the Maseru Raid 09 Dec 1982
3 groups of Poqo fighters in December 1962 from Cape Town converged on this mountain with caves so they could hide; 6 were killed.
The home to former Transkei president K.D. Mathanzima during the enceinte time. People were who were living in the area believe that there is Xhosa God that is called Qamata.
Home to the Xhosa King Sarili, who was also an aspect of the liberation struggle. Visitors can even now experience Xhosa culture in practice.
The center is the building exists in Sabalele village (birthplace of Chris Hani). The structure is considered as part of the heritage development at Sabalele.
Agriculture is one of the priority sectors that generate income at IYM. The area is regarded as one of the biggest irrigation scheme found at IYM.
Situated in Lubisi Dam Development Project and accommodation is also available here a lodge. There is also Conference Center venue.
18km Hiking trail was developed and launched on the 14th September 2024.
A number of activities can be done here such as: fishing, ski resort, bird watching and site seeing.
Rock Art Paintings at Intsika Yethu Municipality
Accommodation Facilities at Intsika Yethu
Afulele Fakade Guest House
16 Hackly Street, Tsomo Contact No: 0732151096 / 0632831677/ 0710954333 Email: afulelefakade@gmail.com
Lubisi Lodge: Lubisi Village
Contact No: 0824369284 Website: www.lubisilodge.co.za Email: thembisanzuzo@yahoo.com
Dekets Hill Guest House
Deckert’s Hill, Qamata Contact No: 0789288229 / 073315113
Willie’s Guest House
Erf 272, Ext 3 Polly, Cofimvaba Contact number: 0788321422 / 0833613582 Website: www.willieguesthouse.co.za Email: thabisabusisiwe@gmail.com
Radie’s B&B & Self Catering
125 Main Street, Cofimvaba Contact No: 073 331 5113 Fax: 047 874 0462
Cofimvaba Facilities
Tsomo
Facilities
Top Things To Do and Places To Visit
Heritage Sites | Old St Marks Anglican Church (153 years), Sabalele (Chris Hani birthplace), Qamata Great Place, Ntlonze, Qhitsi, Ngwarhu Hills (amabelentombi), Home of Vuyisile Mini, and Thobile Dtyantyi, and Trom Grave. |
Hiking Trails | Lubisi hiking trail and Mabelentombi hiking trail |
Dam | Lubisi, Ncorha, and Tsojana |
Landscapes | Umngqanga Hills, Ngqwarhu Hills, and Nomadambe Hills |
Rivers | Tsomo, Whit Kei, Qhumanco and Ngcongcolorha |
Forests | Nquqhu, Chamama, Ndlunkulu, Nomadambe and Nyamankulu. |
Irrigation Schemes | Ncorha, Qamata and Bilatye |
Traditional Food | Umngqusho, Inkobe, and Umqombothi (traditional beer) |
People | Thembu’s, Gcaleka and Fingo’s. |
Cultural Dress | Traditional attire (umbhaco, isikhaka and inkciyo. |
Horse Racing | Traditional horse racing in Mathola’nyile and St Marks Horse track. |