Matatiele is a town situated in the northern region of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. Located within the shadows of the Drakensberg Mountains, it covers an area of 11.20 square kilometres. According to the 2011 South African National Census, the town serves as the largest populated center in the Matatiele Local Municipality, with a population of 12,466 residents across 4,107 households.
The surrounding area is predominantly farmland known for producing organic red meat. Tourism is a primary economic driver for the region, and the town is recognized as one of the top 12 tourist attractions along Route 56. It offers various activities for hikers, fishers, bikers, and bird watchers. The local culture is characterized by the Hlubi dialect of Xhosa, and the Matatiele Museum preserves the area's history, including exhibits on dinosaur fossils, San peoples, missionaries, and 19th-century gun runners.