Ciskei

American  

[sis-kahy] / ˈsɪs kaɪ /

noun

1. a self-governing Bantu territory of South Africa on the Indian Ocean: granted independence in 1981 by South Africa, but not recognized by any other country as an independent state. 3,200 sq. mi. (8,300 sq. km). Bisho.

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Ciskei British  

/ ˈsɪskaɪ /

noun

1. (formerly) a Bantu homeland in SE South Africa; declared independent in 1981 but this was not recognized outside South Africa; abolished in 1993. Capital: Bisho (now Bhisho)

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Other Word Forms

• Ciskeian adjective

Example Sentences

Said the moderate Johannesburg Star: "Ciskei has become a byword for all the worst excesses of banana republics."

From Time Magazine Archive

Ciskei, Bophuthatswana and Venda are among ten territories made nominally independent or self-governing since 1972.

From Time Magazine Archive

In February a seven-member international commission, including some prominent Afrikaners, recommended against autonomy because Ciskei was too poor to stand on its own.

From Time Magazine Archive

South Africa gave Ciskei $300 million at its christening for road construction, telecommunications and other projects, and has promised $250 million more during the fiscal year ending in February of 1985.

From Time Magazine Archive

A few weeks later, Brigadier Gqozo in the Ciskei capitulated and asked South Africa to take over the homeland.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela