By proclamation of 18 November 1847 a municipal board for Port Elizabeth was established, consisting of eight commissioners (Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 2190 of 18 November 1847). By Act No 3 of 1860 Port Elizabeth became a municipality under the control of a mayor and town council. This act was re-enacted with amendments by Act No 14 of 1868. By Ordinance No 13 of 1913 the status of the municipality was elevated to that of a city.
In 2001, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality was formed as an administrative area covering Port Elizabeth, the neighbouring towns of Uitenhage and Despatch and the surrounding agricultural areas.
In 2019, the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee (ECGNC) announced that the city of Port Elizabeth would likely have its name changed to Gqeberha, a Xhosa word used to refer to the Baakens River, which flows through the city. The proposal garnered significant local opposition. Despite this, on 23 February 2021, the city was officially renamed Gqeberha.
The Village Management Board of Tylden was established on 1 June 1911 in terms of Proclamation No 126, 1911 under provision of the Villages Management Act, No 1881 (Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 123, 11 July 1911). The Board continued to function until December 1974.
In terms of the provisions of Section 5 of the Municipal Ordinance No 20, 1974 all local authorities in existence prior to the promulgation of the said ordinance, were deemed municipalities. The first meeting of the Tylden Municipal Council was held on 21 January 1975 (volume 3/TDN 1/1/1/1).
The Municipality of Tylden was abolished with effect from 1 June 1976 and the area as defined in Proclamation No 126, 1911 and situated in the Queenstown division was declared a local area in terms of Proclamation No 177, 1976 under provision of the Municipal Ordinance, 1974 and the Divisional Councils Ordinance, 1952 (Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 3890, 28 May 1976).
The Municipality of Cradock was constituted 15 September 1837 under provision of Ordinance No 9 of 1836.
In 1994 Cradock became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality, one of six local municipalities that falls under the Chris Hani District Municipality.
At a public meeting held on 13 April 1876 a decision was taken to create a committee to be responsible for the administration of village affairs.
The Village Management Board of Lady Grey was proclaimed on 28 February 1884 in terms of Act No 29 of 1881.
The Municipality of Lady Grey was established on 14 October 1893 under provisions of Act No 45 of 1882.
In 1994 Lady Grey became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Senqu Local Municipality, one of three local municipalities that falls under the Joe Gqabi District Municipality.
The Municipality of Somerset East was constituted on 17 March 1837 under provision of Ordinance No 9 of 1836 (Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette, No 1630 of 17 March 1837).
In 1994 Somerset East became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality, one of seven local municipalities that falls under the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.
The Municipality of Middelburg was constituted on 27 May 1856 in terms of the provisions of Ordinance No 9 of 1836.
In 1994 Middelburg became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality, one of five local municipalities that falls under the Chris Hani District Municipality.
The Municipality of Elliot was constituted on 31 August 1911 under, and by virtue of, Section 68 and 81 of the South Africa Act, 1909, and Section 8 of the Municipal Act, 1882 in terms of Proclamation No 183, 1911 (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 144, 22 September 1911).
In 1994 Elliot became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Sakhisizwe Local Municipality, one of six local municipalities that falls under the Chris Hani District Municipality.
A Municipal Corporation was established at King William’s Town by Ordinance No 1 of 8 February 1861 (BK 438 British Kaffrarian Ordinance).
In 1994 King William's Town became part of the Eastern Cape Province.
King William's Town (now known as Qonce) is part of the Buffalo City metropolitan municipality and it includes the towns of East London and Bhisho, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane and Zwelitsha.
The Graaff-Reinet Municipality was created by virtue of a proclamation dated 28 August 1845, published in Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 2071 of 29 August 1845. The first ordinary meeting of the Commissioners took place on 18 September 1845. In January 1969 the Municipality of Graaff-Reinet amalgamated with the nearby Municipality of Adendorp.
In 1994 Graaff-Reinet became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, one of seven local municipalities that falls under the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (formerly Cacadu District Municipality).
The Village Management Board of Alexandria was established on 27 April 1886 under Proclamation No 56 of 1886 in terms of the provisions of the Village Management Act of 1881. This proclamation was repealed on 10 January 1890 by Proclamation No 5 of 1890.
On 22 July 1902 a Village Management Board was again established under Proclamation No 127 of 1902.
The Municipality of Alexandria was constituted on 9 February 1940 under section 4(b) of Ordinance No 10 of 1921 and section 10(a) of Ordinance No of 1912. The first general meeting of the Council was held on 22 April 1940 (3/AXA 1/1/1/1).
In 1994 Alexandria became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality, one of seven local municipalities that falls under the Sarah Baartman District Municipality
