Rhodes is located in the Eastern Cape Highlands, near the escarpment in the southernmost end of the mighty Drakensberg mountain range. Rhodes is a small town along the Bell River, near Ben Macdhui in the Drakensberg mountains of the north Eastern Cape, South Africa. Rhodes was at first called ‘Rossville’, but was renamed after Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902). The town was proclaimed in 1897, having been established on the farm Tintern.

The terrain in Rhodes is rugged and the climate can be harsh. Historically, snow has been recorded in many months of the year although the seasonal falls occur from May to August.

The little town of roads is 61 km’s from Barkly East on the R396.

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Key Statistics 2011

Total population 73
Young (0-14) 6,8%
Working Age (15-64) 79,5%
Elderly (65+) 13,7%
Dependency ratio 25,9
Sex ratio 100
Population density 7 persons/km2
No schooling aged 20+ 3,7%
Higher education aged 20+ 55,6%
Matric aged 20+ 25,9%
Number of households 19
Average household size 1,7
Female headed households 26,3%
Formal dwellings 94,7%
Housing owned/paying off 63,2%
Flush toilet connected to sewerage 75%
Weekly refuse removal 100%
Piped water inside dwelling 78,9%
Electricity for lighting 100%