Gqeberha’s cultural tourism to boost township economy

The Mandela Bay Theatre Company (MBTC) has been intentional in fusing culture and tourism to create jobs and promote Gqeberha’s townships while honouring its famous citizens.

Its township cultural tours highlight the metro’s heritage and artistic legacy, positioning it as a cultural tourism destination while honouring local legends who have shaped the country’s creative industries.

“We are mandated to advance the performing arts as a public good, to build and sustain the creative economy, to develop talent, to create pathways for artists and practitioners, and to ensure that culture remains accessible, inclusive, and transformative,” said Vuyelwa Hlehliso, deputy chairperson of MBTC.

Part of the cultural tour covers George Pemba Street, formerly known as Ferguson Road, where the house of one of South Africa’s most important pioneering visual artists once stood and where he lived and worked.

Today, it forms part of a township tourism route that is quietly reclaiming a legacy long overlooked.

Township tourism representative Heritage Zonela explained to Sunday World the role that Pemba played in documenting township life in the country.

“If his work had been fully acknowledged globally, the value of his paintings would be far beyond what many imagine today.”

Pemba, known for capturing everyday township life with honesty and dignity, was more than just a painter. He was also a writer and historian, committed to preserving the lived experiences of black South Africans at a time when those stories were often ignored.

He played a crucial role in preserving the work of Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi, whose writings were on the verge of extinction.

“We used to watch him paint as children, and we didn’t fully understand what we were seeing,” said Pat Kondile, a family friend and neighbour. “But we were fascinated. That garage you see there is still original. That’s where he worked.”

There were efforts to preserve that legacy more formally. Pemba’s grandson attempted to restore the house and transform it into a gallery, but the vision never fully materialised.

“A lot of work went into trying to preserve the house and turn it into a gallery,” Kondile said. “But things didn’t come together the way they were supposed to. It became more symbolic than anything else.”

The feeling of incompleteness persists, both in the house and in the wider acknowledgement of black artists and their work.

“There are people who collected original artworks and are now trying to sell them to black buyers,” Kondile added. “But the support isn’t always there. The value is not always recognised the way it should be.”

The route also introduces visitors to other cultural figures from the area, including jazz great Feya Faku, whose legacy remains rooted in the township.

“We wanted to show where Feya Faku is buried, one of our greatest icons,” the guide said. “But we also respect cultural and religious sensitivities when accessing certain sites.”

In many township tours, political history dominates the narrative. But here, the focus shifts deliberately toward culture, creativity, and identity.

“When we tell township stories, we are often expected to start with politics,” the guide explained. “This route prioritises artists and cultural icons, despite the influence of that history on their lives.”

Through personal accounts, lived memories, and community storytelling, the George Pemba Street Route transforms history into something immediate and human.

It is not just about remembering one man. It is about confronting how a country values or fails to value its creative legacy.

The Mandela Bay Theatre Complex facilitated Zuma’s travel to Gqeberha.

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Mbalenhle Zuma