Hankey is in the heart of the Gamtoos River Valley and is the gateway to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, an inland cultural and historical attraction. It is the oldest town in the Valley and is home to largest sundial in Africa.
In 1822 the famous missionary Dr. John Philip bought a portion of the farm Wagensdrift to accommodate the Khoi San people who could not be accommodated at the mission station at Bethelsdorp which is outside Port Elizabeth. The mission was established in 1825 and was named after William Allers Hankey who was the treasurer of the London Missionary Society. In an effort to make the mission self sustaining the inhabitants, led by Philip's son, William, built the first irrigation tunnel in South Africa which is now a declared heritage site.
Dr. Philip and his family including the famous Scottish settler leader John Fairburn, a pioneer in the struggle for a free press in South Africa are all buried in Hankey.
Hankey is an excellent base to explore the Baviaans Wilderness area.
Find a place to stay in this area. This is where you will find all types of places to stay from hotels to caravan parks, from bush lodges to backpackers. (photo by Evgeni Dinev)
Saartjie Baartman, a Khoi San woman who was enticed to Europe under
false pretenses and was displayed as a freak in a traveling circus as
?the Hottentots Venus?. She ended her days as a prostitute in Paris
and after her death her remains were put on displ ...
Area: Hankey, Cacadu District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Saartjie Baartman, a Khoi San woman who was enticed to Europe under
false pretenses and was displayed as a freak in a traveling circus as
?the Hottentots Venus?. She ended her days as a prostitute in Paris
and after her death her remains were put on displ ...
Area: Hankey, Cacadu District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
