Thomas River (Great Kei River)

Thomas River Thomas Rivier
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Data
location	Eastern Cape Province , South Africa
River system	Great Kei River
Drain over	Great Kei River  → Indian Ocean
source	Amathole Mountains
muzzle	about 35 kilometers east of Cathcart near the settlement Komkulu in the Great River Kei coordinates: 32 ° 13 '35 "  S , 27 ° 30' 35"  O 32 ° 13 '35 "  S , 27 ° 30' 35"  O
length	45 km

The Thomas River or Thomas Rivier ( Afrikaans ) is a small river in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is about 45 kilometers long and cuts deeply into the sandstone cover in the hinterland of the Amathole Mountains .

The river belongs to the southern catchment area of ​​the Great Kei River . In its upper reaches it divides into Big Thomas River and Little Thomas River . Both headwaters arise in the Amathole Mountains. The estuary is located in a relatively sparsely populated area about 35 kilometers east of Cathcart not far from the Komkulu settlement. Before that, it forms a strongly meandering and deeply cut valley. The terrain he created made it possible for the members of the San to hide away. Rock carvings can still be found here.

It is of great importance for the irrigation of the farm area south of Cathcart. The water from the Big Thomas River was used to refuel steam locomotives in the Thomas River station from the 19th century until the railway line was relocated .
Like the railway station of the same name, it got its name from a former mission member Thomas Bentley, who was killed by an arrow while crossing a river.