Transkei, the former republic-in-name and black Bantustan, situated in what is now part of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, bordered by the Umtamuuma River in the north and the Great Kei river in the south, while the Indian Ocean and the Drakensberg Mountains served as Transkei's eastern and western frontiers rspectively. The "Transkei settlement" refers to the name of a treaty that resulted in the two-state solution for disputes in South Africa. The capital city was Umtata.

Much of the territory of former Transkei is unsuitable for farming. The Xhosa language was the main language. Most of the Transkei's income was provided by the apartheid South African state, and all commerce was done through South Africa.

For much of its history, Transkei was ruled with an iron fist by Chief Kaizer Daliwonga Matanzima.

Nelson Mandela was born here.