Lusikisiki is 45 km north of Port St Johns in East Pondoland. It developed from a military camp established in 1894, was surveyed in 1902 and administered by a village management board since 1932. The name is onomatopoeic, derived from the rustling sound of reeds that used to grow along the stream running next to the town. Lusikisi previously served as a capital city of the erstwhile Pondoland prior to being torn apart by British colonialism. Lusikisiki was once a thriving commercial centre that created hundreds of jobs for the Pondo people.[citation needed] Magwa tea estate used to be a big employer before it became derelict.[clarification needed] Lusikisiki is also a major tourist attraction with holiday resorts like Mbotyi [1] and Mkambati nature reserve along the wild coast2. The town is noted as a seat of the AmaMpondo kingdom.[clarification needed]King Faku, the founder of the modern AmaMpondo Kingdom was born in Lusikisiki.[citation needed] Lusikisiki has three hospitals namely St Elizabeth [2], Holy Cross and Bambisana. Lusikisiki also has an FET college, the Ngqungqushe Technical College. Lusikisiki has a small airport outside the town on Magwa road, however this airport needs to be rebuilt and modernised. The town has two surbubs called Arthur homes and Newtown where the middle class professionals reside. The town has produced many prominent people like Stella Sigcau the former minister of public enterprises and public works. Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana the SAFA vice president is another famous Lusikisiki native. Kgotso Sethunsa the well known former healer who used to have clients like HF Verwoed,[citation needed] has his headquarters in Lusikisiki. Dr Mazwai the well known medical doctor who established the UNITRA medical school is from originally from eNgcobo but established his surgery practice at Lusikisiki in the 1970s. He still operates this surgery practice two days a week. Thandiswa Mazwai the popular musician has her roots from Lusikisiki.[citation needed] Siphokazi Marhaqana the well known musician is from Lusikisiki.[citation needed] Lusikisiki has a potential to become a major commercial centre, especially with the development of the N2 Wild Coast toll road. The N2 Wild Coast toll road will bring in more jobs {speculation} for the local people an also boost the local tourism industry. More needs to be done to improve the towns infrastructure which cannot cope with the fast growing town.[citation needed] Since Lusikisiki is built in a mountainous area it needs to build high rise buildings as there is not enough land. The town will do well {speculation} if it can be connected to the proposed railway line between East London and Kokstad.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 05:31:18 +0000
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