The area around Butterworth was populated by amaXhosa, KhoiKhoi and San people. Butterworth was first established as a Wesleyan mission station in 1827 north of the Great Kei River in British Kaffraria. It was named after Joseph Butterworth. The mission station and white settlement of Butterworth was burnt down 3 times during the Cape Frontier Wars. Nonetheless, it is one of the oldest white settlements in Eastern Cape. When the British seized the Cape of Good Hope, many of the Boers trekked north to establish their own republics. The discovery of diamonds and gold in South Africa spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The town was close to the seat of Hintsa ka Khawuta, the King of the Xhosa people. It was of great strategic importance. Around that time, a young girl, Nongqawuse, had a vision that her forebears would help the Xhosa drive the English out. The disastrous result weakened the Xhosa. The Ninth Frontier War spelled the end of the Xhosa, and the Transkei area was incorporated into the Cape Colony. But it was never quiet. There were raids between settlers and Xhosa, and turf wars between different Xhosa groups. Missions were established here and there to try to bring Christianity to the local people, with limited success. Butterworth is the birthplace of Marmaduke Pattle, the highest scoring RAF ace of World War 2. At the end of the Frontier Wars in 1878, traders began to settle here and the town has grown to become a small industrial centre. Butterworth became a municipality of the Cape Colony in 1904. The town was incorporated into the former Transkei bantustan during the apartheid years. It is one of the fastest growing towns in terms of the economy and the population. Currently Butterworth is home to nine townships.
Demographics
The town is overwhelmingly Black and Xhosa-speaking. According to the 2001 South African census, the "main place" of Butterworth had a population of 45,900. Of these, 45,142 were recorded as "Black", 345 as "Coloured", 213 as "Indian or Asian" and 200 as White. The most predominant language spoken at home was Xhosa, followed by English and Afrikaans. The town is 57% Female and 43% Male.
Economy
Butterworth is the main service area for Mnquma municipality, contributing 77% of the GDP in the municipality and is an important town in the new South Africa. It now has several major industrial sites, including Zitulele and Ibeka, on its outskirts. Its industries produce processed food, beverages, tobacco products, beer, textiles, clothing, leather goods, wood and wood products, chemicals, rubber and plastic products. It is on the Mthatha-East London railway line, but rarely sees a passenger train. This may change when the Bhisho government gets a main line passenger rail service operational. Butterworth's town area is relatively small, including a small business district of middle-to-high income housing. The central town, established exclusively “white” before 1976, has since been occupied largely by black high-income groups. White occupancy has not been re-established post-1994. Development in Butterworth has followed the line of the N2 and thus resulted in a long, narrow settlement east of town towards Walter Sisulu University, about 5 km away. The N2 also runs through the CBD, which results in a clash of uses and congestion, with high speedroad transport seeming to use the same space as pedestrians, hawkers and public service functions. Butterworth is also home to the first shopping centre in the area. October 24 and 25 2012 saw the much-awaited launch of the Fingoland Mall development in the small town of Butterworth. Fingoland Mall extends over 12,700m2, which is less than half of the total footprint of the shopping centre when complete after the third and last phase is built. As of December 2014, there were 51 tenants, which includes but is not limited to major national retailers, as well as accommodating no less than 10 micro-businesses. On completion of the third phase, Fingoland Mall is expecting a minimum total of 100 shops. The development has already created approximately 350 jobs, and by the end of the third phase, the total number of jobs created is expected to reach 1000.
Tourism
Tourist attractions include Bawa Falls, Birding, Cape Vulture Colony, Collywobbles on Mbashe River, Gcuwa River Cascades and various historical sights. Butterworth is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Visitors can go for day walks to the nearby villages such as Tobashana and experience the hospitality of traditional Xhosa living. Gcuwa Dam provides for a man-made lake for boating and fishing. Nearby Bawa Falls on the Qolorha River, has a sheer drop of nearly 300 ft. The dirt road leading to the falls is just west of the town. Winding through the Transkei countryside, little has changed in the past 100 years. The district's scenery is attractive with its almost ever-green thorn trees and tropical flowers. Bawa Falls has a popular picnic spot and more adventurous hikers can camp overnight. The Cascades Falls on the Gcuwa River has a reputed fall of 270 ft. is the starting point for a number of nature walks.
Religion
The supreme being among the Xhosa is called uThixo. Christianity in one form or another is accepted by most people today. Cultural traditionalists are likely to belong to independent denominations that combine Christianity with traditional beliefs and practices. The Church of the Province of Southern Africa has played an important role in the life of the Butterworth community. Today, retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu is seen as a significant spiritual leader. St Peter's Church is a beautiful example of 19th Century colonial architecture.
Hospitals
Butterworth has two provincial hospitals: Butterworth Hospital in the central town is the main hospital serving the people of Dutywa, Willowvale, Centane and Butterworth; and Tafalofefe Hospital in the rural district about 15km east of Butterworth.
