12 Amazing Facts about Amahlathi.

1)  The indigenous forest at Stutterheim is the second largest expanse of natural forest in South Africa.

2)   Amahlathi is the only place in the world where 3 species of cycads grow in vast colonies, in close proximity to each other in the wild.  They are Encephalartos friederici-guilielmi, princeps and caffra.

3) The diversity of environment in the Amahlathi region provides shelter for several endangered  or rare species; the Cape Parrot, Samango Monkey, Hogsback Frog, Amatola Toad, Kubusie Damsel, Keilandia (scorpion), Golden Mole,  and Penningtons Opal Butterfly.

4)   A new plant, part of the Fire Lily or Cyranthus family has been discovered in the Quanti area.   It has been named Cyranthus macmasteri after Cameron Mc Master who found it.

5)   Elephant tusks and molars, found in the Khologha and Pirie Forests, are on display in the Amathole Museum in King Williams Town.

6)    The oldest San painting to have been discovered in this area is estimated to be 3000 years old.

7)   The great Xhosa chief Sandile who fought in the Frontier Wars was killed during the ninth war and lies buried at the foot of Mount Kemp.

8)   Reverend Döhne, the pastor of Bethel Mission was also a great linguist. He translated the New Testament into Xhosa in 1865.

9)   Dr. Basil Dormer was schooled in Cathcart before studying medicine.  A brilliant doctor, he became world renown for his knowledge on the prevention and cure of Tuberculosis.

10)   The Cullinan Diamond was named after Thomas Cullinan who had worked with his father building the railway from East London to Queenstown.  After the death of both parents, he left Cathcart to seek his fortune on the reef.    Through hard work, he became a well known business man and industrialist in the then Transvaal.  He received a knighthood in 1910.

11)  The Stutterheim Engine Museum has the largest collection of stationery engines in working order in the Southern Hemisphere.

12)   Cata Community Museum is the only museum in South Africa which tells the story of the apartheid era and of land dispossession.  The land has since been redistributed to the original families and a thriving community now exists.