Sive Spills - Best-Kept Secrets of Makhanda - and a Few Weird Ones Too
Friday, 25th July 2025
Yo! I’m Sive Tyibilika — tourism student with curious feet, questionable balance, and a habit of ending up in weird places (on purpose). I’ve touched down in Makhanda for a few months, and instead of scrolling Google Maps from the couch, I’m walking the city the old-school way —cobblestones, detours, and all.
This town? Way cooler (and weirder) than I expected. So, here’s my totally unofficial, slightly chaotic guide to Makhanda — packed with the kind of stuff you won’t find on a brochure. Let’s walk.
1. Welcome to Makhanda (aka Grahamstown)
A military base turned culture bomb.
Back in 1812, a British guy named John Graham set up a fort here. His moustache was serious. So was his mission: expand the colony. What happened next? The base became a town full of music, museums, festivals, and some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see.
📍 Makhanda (Grahamstown) town centre
📞 General info: 046 622 3241
2. Settlers, Hammers & Hope
The hustle started early.
The 1820 Settlers rocked up ready to farm. But the soil said “Nah, fam.” And tensions with the local Xhosa communities made things... complicated. Instead of crops, they grew skills — bakers, blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters.
Check out Artificer’s Square, where original stone cottages still stand. Bonus: grab treats at Ten Cross Shoppe — baked goodies and more like your gran’s gran made them.
📍 Artificer’s Square, Cross Street, Makhanda
📞 Ten Cross Shoppe: 046 622 3100
3. Church Square... That’s Not a Square
It’s actually a triangle. Because, why not?
The town’s soul hangs here — old buildings, a statue with mixed reviews, and stories in every stone. This “square” does what it wants.
📍 Church Square, Makhanda town centre
📞 General info: 046 603 7000
4. The OG Red Post Box
Oldest in the country. Still standing. Still slaying.
Dating back to the 1850s, this post box holds it down like a heritage kingpin. It is the oldest official letter box in South Africa!
📍 Corner of Somerset Street & Worcester Street
5. Commemoration Church
Victorian vibes and secret treasure under the floor.
Built in 1845, they say there’s a time capsule beneath — coins, newspapers, maybe a scandalous love letter or two. Inside? Wooden pews, creaky floors, a pipe organ from the 1880s still doing its thing, and ghost stories just waiting to be whispered.
The organ used in the church is very rare — original, unfiltered, and still sings like it’s 1885.
📍 High Street, Makhanda
📞 Church office: 073 583 6655
6. The Eastern Star Press
Big iron. Big vibes. Steam-era throwback.
Behind Anglo-African Street, this old printing press once ran the town’s newspaper. Industrial, gritty, and perfect for history nerds and Instagram shots.
📍 14 Anglo-African Street, Makhanda
📞 Info: 046 622 7042 (Amazwi South African Museum of Literature)
7. Museums With Attitude
Not your average quiet halls. These places slap.
- Natural History Museum — Fossils and Xhosa history under one roof.
📍 17 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2312 - Observatory Museum — Home to the only camera obscura in the southern hemisphere. Wild.
📍 Observatory Hill, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2312 - Provost Prison — Colonial jail turned coffee spot. Very aesthetic.
📍 6 Beaufort Street, Makhanda | 📞 076 975 5020 (La Café)
8. Fort Selwyn
A star-shaped fort with a flair for the dramatic.
Built in 1836 with seven points. Made for battle, now for city views and selfie potential. Walk, climb, conquer.
📍 Fort Selwyn Road, Makhanda
📞 Local tourism: 046 622 3241
9. Sleep in a Storybook
Because some buildings just have better dreams.
- Temba Private Game Reserve – Wildlife, views, and wide-open space outside town.
📍 R67, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2239 - Olive Park Lodge – Restored 1814 farmhouse once belonging to Piet Retief. Luxury en-suite rooms.
📍 81 Olive Park Road, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2239 - Hotel Victoria – Vintage bones meet fresh comfort in central location.
📍 15 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 7208 - Oak Lodge – Once a working stable, now characterful and relaxed.
📍 1 Lancaster Road, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 9123 - 137 High Street – Built by Piet Retief, now heritage charm with modern finishes.
📍 137 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 3242 - Evelyn House – Like stepping into a period drama, but with crisp linen, blooming garden, strong Wi-Fi, and private parking.
📍 38 Somerset Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2324 - Lanherne Guest House – Spacious 1900s home, lush garden, timeless appeal.
📍 9 Gilmour Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2466 - 30 Oatlands Road – Former stable on old estate, serene guesthouse with heritage touches.
📍 30 Oatlands Road, Makhanda | 📞 083 651 9244 - The Cock House – Writer’s home turned cozy self-catering.
📍 27 Castle Street, Makhanda | 📞 073 994 9520 - Graham Hotel – Modernised central stay with historic roots.
📍 16 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2324
10. Food with History on the Side
Where the chips come with a story.
- Olde 65 – Pub food, live sports, lively crowd.
📍 65 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 083 383 0897 - The Highlander – Pizza, wine, views. Grown-up favourite.
📍 1 St George’s Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2989 - Major Fraser’s – Craft beer and pizza in a heritage home.
📍 12 Somerset Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 004 0006 - Pothole and Donkey – Old-school vibes, tasty bites, next to Graham Hotel.
📍 13 Somerset Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2324 - Gino’s – Family-run Italian, hearty portions.
📍 40 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 7208 - Champs Action Bar – Sports bar energy, big screens, cold drinks.
📍 26 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 622 2324 - Ten Cross Shoppe – In Artificer’s Square, delicious padkos, everyday meals and charm.
📍 8 Cross Street, Makhanda | 📞 084 405 1102 - Ntomb’OmXhosa Lounge – Traditional food, live drumming, gumboot dancing.
📍 15 Noyes Street, Makhanda | 📞 078 984 0391 - Seven Fountains Farm Restaurant – Farm-fresh feasts on historic settler farmland.
📍 Seven Fountains Farm, 54 R67, Makhanda | 📞 076 175 1589
11. Coffee Stops That Keep You Going
Because exploring takes caffeine.
- The Barista – Sip flat whites in an 1830s heritage building once home to colonial figure Lt. Sir Andries Stockenström.
📍 Opposite the Arch, 12 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 046 004 0006 - Provost Café – Colonial jail turned coffee courtyard, locks swapped for lattes.
📍 6 Beaufort Street, Makhanda | 📞 078 858 3193(La Café) - Voodoo Coffee Shop – Classic charm, modern twist next to Hotel Victoria.
📍 17 High Street, Makhanda | 📞 063 395 7736
12. Spots With Personality
Bring your crew — or roll solo and make some new friends.
- Olde 65 – Chill vibes, easy drinks.
📍 65 High Street | 📞 083 383 0897 - Champs – High energy, good times.
📍 26 High Street | 📞 046 622 2324 - Pothole & Donkey – Burgers and live tunes.
📍 13 Somerset Street | 📞 046 622 2324 - The Highlander – Historic vibes, sunsets, pizza.
📍 1 St George’s Street | 📞 046 622 2989 - Major Fraser’s – Craft beer & wine paradise paired with gourmet meals.
📍 12 Somerset Street | 📞 046 004 0006
13. ILAM – Africa’s Sound Vault
📍 Rhodes University, Prince Alfred Street
📞 046 603 8111
AKA: Where the beat lives forever.
Home to the biggest collection of African music on the planet. Founded 1954.
14. Egazini Memorial
📍 Albert Road
Xhosa warriors. British settlers. One unforgettable fight.
Marks the 1819 Battle of Grahamstown—a powerful spot to reflect.
15. Dakawa Arts Centre
📍 9 Froude St, Makhanda 6139
📞 046 622 9303
Where the art is loud and the purpose louder.
Originally started by ANC exiles, Dakawa is now a buzzing creative hub with youth programmes, workshops, and exhibitions. It’s community-powered and full of local talent.
16. King Lobengula Museum
📍 Joza location (ask any local — they’ll guide you)
📞 073 664 9849
Royal exile. Forgotten legend. Real impact.
They say King Lobengula of the Ndebele sought refuge in the Eastern Cape. This small but mighty museum unpacks that story — and challenges the version we’ve been taught. More info coming soon, but trust me: it’s worth the visit.
17. Devonian Ecosystem Project
📍 87 Beaufort Street
📞 086 000 2004
Science meets sci-fi — 360 million years ago.
Think 360 million years ago: Makhanda was underwater, and Waterloo Farm was basically the VIP lounge of early vertebrates. The Devonian Ecosystem Project dives deep into this ancient ecosystem — where lobefins ruled, plants were just figuring themselves out, and evolution was getting experimental. Nerdy? Yes. Mind-blowing? Also yes.
18. SAIAB – South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity
📍 11 Somerset Street
📞 046 603 5800
Ever heard of a coelacanth? You will now.
This place is home to some of the coolest marine biology research on the continent. Think deep-sea discoveries, rare species, and real-life ocean heroes. Their exhibitions are science made simple — and super cool.
19. Amazwi Museum of Literature
📍 25A Worcester Street
📞 046 622 7042
Books, letters, and the voices that shaped a nation.
This place is more than just shelves and paper — it’s a tribute to South Africa’s literary soul. From banned manuscripts to powerful protest poetry, every exhibit whispers (or shouts) a story. Bonus: the building is absolutely gorgeous.
Why Makhanda?
Because it’s more than a history book. It’s alive.
It’s that mix of old-world wonder and next-gen creativity. Whether you’re here for fossils, food, festivals, or just vibes, this town will surprise you — like it did me. Take your own walkabout, here are more interesting spots: https://bit.ly/4m7RCvI and share it by tagging Makana Tourism.
