Port St Johns

Where exactly Port St Johns got its name is a mystery. The Portuguese named the Umzimvubu River after Saint Christovao, whilst the first English named it Rosebud Harbour after the schooner that first crossed the sandbar at the mouth of the river.

Other ships followed, and despite many of them being wrecked the harbour became the accepted port of call for trade with the Pondo and other local tribes. The British decided it was essential to exert control over the area, especially in view of the possibility of foreign powers landing there and the harbour being used by gun runners.

In July 1878 an agreement was reached with the Pondo chief, whereby the harbour and surrounding land was ceded to the British. The last coaster called in to the harbour in December 1944 and ended the town's days as a harbour.

The famous wandering hippo, Huberta, arrived in the village in March 1930, and for six months took up residence in the river, where none of her kind had been seen for years. She grazed in the gardens in the village, overturned a few boats, caused upsets and more than a few laughs, and then continued on her way south.

Gardens and vegetation at Port St Johns are luxurious, and there are magnificent beaches. The bell from the ship Clan Gordon, whose captain reputedly lost it in a game of dice, hangs outside the town hall. There is a warm mineral spring a few kilometres outside the town, which the Mpondo named Isinuka (the stinking one).

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