Bedford, South Africa

Bedford Nyarha
Presbyterian Church in Bedford
Bedford Show map of Eastern Cape Bedford Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 32°41′S 26°05′E / 32.683°S 26.083°E / -32.683; 26.083
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape
District	Amathole
Municipality	Raymond Mhlaba
Established	1854[1]
Area [2]
• Total	14.6 km2 (5.6 sq mi)
Elevation	740 m (2,430 ft)
Population  (2011)[2]
• Total	8,770
• Density	600/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [2]
• Black African	68.9%
• Coloured	27.1%
• Indian/Asian	0.1%
• White	3.2%
• Other	0.7%
First languages (2011) [2]
• Xhosa	63.5%
• Afrikaans	29.7%
• English	4.5%
• Other	2.2%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)	5780
PO box	5780
Area code	046

Bedford or Nyarha is a town in the centre of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It was established in the mid-19th century when Sir Andries Stockenstroom sold portions of land from his farm Maastroom to raise funds for the restoration of his library, which had been burnt by British soldiers mistrustful of his attempts to broker peace in one of the Cape Frontier Wars. The farm is still there and open for visitors.

It is located on the southern edge of the Winterberg mountain range, in the Smaldeel (a narrow strip of grassland running laterally from Fort Beaufort to Somerset East, renowned for its sweet grass). The town suffered a major decline in fortunes in the latter half of the 20th century before reviving itself around the turn of the millennium. It is regarded today as an artist's haven and retirement village.

Bedford has the following locations or human settlements; Town, New Brighton, Coloured Valley , Nonzwakazi,Bhongweni,Ndlovini, Khayelitsha, Polar Park, New Rest and Goodwin Park

The lack of industry in the town, while a boon to those hoping to escape the rat race, means that the town has a large unemployment rate. The woes of the poor are exacerbated by a high HIV-AIDS infection rate.

Bedford is home to two high schools namely; Templeton High School, situated in the suburban part of the town and Lonwabo Senior Secondary School, situated in Circular Drive in the Polar Park Location. Other than that there is a Model C school , Bedford Country School situated just behind the Public Library in town . Nonyameko Junior Primary School is situated in the Nonzwakazi Location just as is Ntlama Higher Primary School. Bedford Primary School is situated in the Coloured Location of Bedford.

The Bedford Provincial Hospital is situated in Maitland Street, three blocks northwest of the town's centre. Other healthcare centres include the Town Clinic in the suburban part of the town and Mzamohle Clinic in the location part of the town

Most tourists visit Bedford to experience true South African farm living. It is also known for the garden festival where people who live in the town and surrounding farms get to show case their gardens and other creative art work.

• http://www.bedford.co.za/ - The Bedford Homepage.