Ciskei was a nominally independent homeland in South Africa, established during the apartheid era. It was created for the Xhosa-speaking people and was located in the Eastern Cape province. The region was officially designated as a self-governing territory in 1972, but it lacked true autonomy and was heavily controlled by the South African government. The capital of Ciskei was Bisho, which served as the administrative center. The homeland was dissolved in 1994 following the end of apartheid, and its territory was reintegrated into South Africa. Today, the area is part of the Eastern Cape province, reflecting the country's transition to a democratic society.