In 1976 the Transkei had officially become Africa's fiftieth independent state. It was the first of South Africa's "homelands" (large territories set aside for each African tribe) to achieve that distinction.

Located in the southeastern part of South Africa, the Transkei was about the size of Denmark (44,000 square kilometers or almost 17,000 square miles) with a population of about 13/4 million, including some 10,000 whites. Most of the country's blacks speak Xhosa (related to Zulu) but belong to various tribal groups, such as the Mpondo, Tembu, Bomvana and Fingo. The land was fairly fertile and well watered. Its southern boundary is the Great Kei River, where the name "Transkei." came from.

Xhosa-speaking tribesmen had been established in the territory since about the fifteenth century. In the eighteenth century conflict developed between black tribesmen and white farmers, resulting in a long series of wars. Finally, in the late nineteenth century the whites predominated and the British government annexed the territory to the Cape Colony. Since 1910 the Transkei had formed part of first the Union of South Africa and then the Republic.

Following the evolution of South Africa's policy of separate development, partial self-government was granted in 1963. The Parliament has 150 members, including 75 traditional chiefs and 75 elected members. In a recent election Paramount Chief Kaiser Matanzima's party won by an overwhelming majority.