Ekhephini, known as Barkly East until February 2026, is a town located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It serves as the seat of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality and is situated approximately 117 km by road east-southeast of Maletswai. The town is positioned in a mountainous region just south of Lesotho at an elevation of 1,790 meters above sea level.
Geographically, Ekhephini lies at the southern tip of the Drakensberg along the Langkloofspruit, which is a tributary of the Kraai River and subsequently the Orange River. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rugged mountains and green valleys, with snow falling during the winter months. The town is located within the boundaries of the Senqu Local Municipality.