{{Infobox settlement | name = Middledrift | other_name = {{lang|xh|Xesi}} | native_name = | image_skyline = Eastern cape near middledrift - rsa.jpg | image_caption = Landscape near Middledrift | pushpin_map = South Africa Eastern Cape#South Africa#Africa | coordinates = {{coord|32|49|7|S|26|59|15|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{ZAF}} | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Eastern Cape}} | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Amathole | subdivision_type3 = Municipality | subdivision_name3 = Raymond Mhlaba | subdivision_type4 = Main Place | established_title = Established | leader_title = Councillor | area_footnotes = <ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/276102 |title = Main Place Middledrift |work=Census 2011}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 1.84 | population_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" /> | population_total = 2140 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_density_km2 = auto <!-- demographics (section 1) --> | demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011) | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" /> | demographics1_title1 = Black African | demographics1_info1 = 95.9% | demographics1_title2 = Coloured | demographics1_info2 = 2.1% | demographics1_title3 = Indian/Asian | demographics1_info3 = 0.3% | demographics1_title4 = White | demographics1_info4 = 0.8% | demographics1_title5 = Other | demographics1_info5 = 0.8% <!-- demographics (section 2) --> | demographics_type2 = First languages (2011) | demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" /> | demographics2_title1 = Xhosa | demographics2_info1 = 86.7% | demographics2_title2 = Afrikaans | demographics2_info2 = 5.2% | demographics2_title3 = English | demographics2_info3 = 3.8% | demographics2_title4 = Sign language | demographics2_info4 = 1.0% | demographics2_title5 = Other | demographics2_info5 = 3.3% <!-- blank fields (section 2) --> <!-- Other information --> | timezone1 = SAST | utc_offset1 = +2 | postal_code_type = Postal code (street) | postal_code = 5685 | postal2_code_type = PO box | postal2_code = 5685 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 046 }}
'''Middledrift''', also known as '''iXesi''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=New names for towns under community spotlight |url=https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2016-01-21-new-names-for-towns-under-community-spotlight/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302090609/https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2016-01-21-new-names-for-towns-under-community-spotlight/ |archive-date=2021-03-02 |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=DispatchLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref> is a small town located {{convert|90|km|-1}} north-west of East London in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is situated in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality in Amathole District in an area that was formerly part of the Ciskei.
The town is on the Keiskamma River, 45 km west-north-west of Qonce and 16 km east-south-east of Alice.
== History ==
It was founded in 1853 and laid out in 1882. At first known as Beaconsfield, it was renamed after its situation at a ford (Dutch: ''drift'') between two others. Due to corruption and mismanagement of funds it has become a wasteland and most of the residents nearby have to travel to Alice for shopping and services.<ref name=dsapn>{{cite web|title=Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)|url=https://archive.org/stream/DictionaryOfSouthernAfricanPlaceNames/SaPlaceNames#page/n309/mode/2up/search/Middeldrift|publisher=Human Science Research Council|page=309}}</ref> The town is the birthplace of anti-apartheid activist Wilton Mkwayi and advocate Bulelani Ngcuka and author/reporter Noni Jabavu.
== Notable people == *Nosimo Balindlela, politician *Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, politician *Ayabonga Khaka, national female cricket team player *Mark Joko, cricket player<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/339096.html |title=Mark Joko |work=ESPN Cricinfo |accessdate=6 December 2020}}</ref> *Noni Jabavu, author and journalist *Bulelani Ngcuka, advocate *Wilton Mkwayi, anti-apartheid activist *Nolusindiso Booi, South African rugby union player *Zintle Mpupha, South African cricketer and rugby union player
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Amathole District Municipality}}
Category:Populated places in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality