Mbhashe River

{{Short description|River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa}}

{{Use South African English|date=July 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Mbhashe River

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| name_other = Mbashe, Bashee

| name_etymology = Referring either to 'dark river' or 'dangerous ravine' in the Xhosa language, or perhaps named after a person called 'Mbashe'[https://archive.org/stream/DictionaryOfSouthernAfricanPlaceNames/SaPlaceNames_djvu.txt Dictionary of Southern African Place Names]

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| pushpin_map = South Africa

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| pushpin_map_caption= Location of the Mbashe River mouth

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = South Africa

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| subdivision_type3 = Province

| subdivision_name3 = Eastern Cape Province

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| source1 = Drakensberg

| source1_location = NE of Elliot, Eastern Cape

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| source1_elevation = {{convert|1700|m|abbr=on}}

| mouth = Indian Ocean

| mouth_location = Bashee

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|32|15|S|28|54|E|display=inline,title}}

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| basin_size = {{convert|6030|km2|abbr=on}}

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Mbhashe Riverhttps://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/26552a0.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101100654/https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/26552a0.pdf |date=1 January 2022 }} {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} is one of the major rivers in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It flows in a southeastern direction and has a catchment area of 6,030 km{{sup|2}}.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/state_of_rivers/ecape_04/Mbashe%20Trends%20Report%202010.pdf |title=Mbhashe River Trends - 2007/2010 |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403033209/https://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/state_of_rivers/ecape_04/Mbashe%20Trends%20Report%202010.pdf |url-status=live }} The river drains into the Indian Ocean through an estuary located near the lighthouse at Bashee, south of Mhlanganisweni.{{Cite web |url=http://lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.com/2006/11/mbashee-lighthouse.html |title=Lighthouses of S Africa: M'bashee Lighthouse |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402215504/http://lighthouses-of-sa.blogspot.com/2006/11/mbashee-lighthouse.html |url-status=live }}

After passing under national road N2, the Mbhashe River encounters southwest of Elliotdale and north-east of Dutywa the more rugged terrain of the Wild Coast and suddenly enters into a 64 km long series of violent twists and turns known as the Collywobbles before continuing more sedately towards the Indian Ocean.{{cite web |title= Proposed Mgwali South Water Supply iDutywa, Mbhashe Municipality, Amatole District Municipality Eastern Cape Province Heritage Impact Report |publisher= Professional Grave Solutions (Pty) Ltd

|date= July 27, 2012 |url= https://sahris.sahra.org.za/sites/default/files/heritagereports/HIA%20-%20Mgwali%20South%20reticulation%20project%20-%20THM%20-27072012-final_0.pdf |access-date= April 1, 2019}}{{Citation | last= Matthews |first= Sue |title= Harnessing the Collywobbles |journal= The Water Wheel |pages= 22–24 |date= November 2008 |url= http://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/WaterWheel_2008_06_08%20Hydropower%20p%2022-24.pdf }}

The Mbhashe river's main tributaries are the Xuka River, Mgwali River, Dutywa River and the Mnyolo River. Presently this river is part of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area.{{Cite web |url=http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S1816-79502009000500018&script=sci_arttext |title=Is there a role for traditional governance systems in South Africa's new water management regime? |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-date=27 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227093729/http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S1816-79502009000500018&script=sci_arttext |url-status=live }}