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Hankey is a cornerstone of the Eastern Cape’s high-value agricultural sector. In early 2026, the town’s economy is fundamentally powered by the intensive cultivation of citrus fruits—specifically lemons, oranges, and soft citrus—destined for European and Asian markets. The fertile alluvial soils at the confluence of the Klein and Gamtoos Rivers provide world-class growing conditions. For the business community, Hankey offers a specialized agri-industrial environment with established irrigation infrastructure and a mature supply chain focused on packing houses, cold-storage logistics, and agricultural technical services.
Hankey holds profound historical significance as the final resting place of Sarah Baartman, a Khoi-San woman who became a global icon of human rights and dignity. In 2026, the Sarah Baartman Remembrance Centre serves as a major site for cultural pilgrimage and historical education. This heritage draws international and domestic visitors, fostering a niche tourism market centered on human rights history and indigenous culture. For entrepreneurs, this status provides a platform for cultural guiding, specialized heritage tours, and artisanal crafts that honor the indigenous Khoi and Mfengu history of the valley.
The town is home to South Africa's first-ever irrigation tunnel, the Philip Tunnel, completed in 1844. In 2026, this national monument remains a testament to early engineering prowess and is a key feature of the town’s tourism offering. The tunnel, along with the "Bergvenster" (Mountain Window) natural arch, anchors an adventure and eco-tourism sector focused on hiking and historical exploration. For the business sector, these landmarks drive demand for outdoor recreation services, trail management, and heritage-focused hospitality ventures that capitalize on the town's unique 19th-century infrastructure.
Beyond citrus, Hankey has successfully diversified into experiential agri-tourism. In early 2026, the town is well-known for its strawberry farms and unique honey-tasting experiences, which attract families and weekend travelers from nearby Gqeberha. The local "Pick-Your-Own" strawberry industry and specialized bee-keeping ventures have created a vibrant micro-economy. For small businesses, this diversification offers opportunities in farm-to-table culinary ventures, artisanal food processing, and the development of family-oriented recreational facilities that blend agriculture with leisure.
As the oldest town and administrative hub of the Gamtoos Valley, Hankey provides essential services to a vast rural hinterland. In early 2026, the town hosts the local magistrate’s court, police station, and municipal offices, alongside a range of retail outlets and professional services. The town also features one of the most picturesque 9-hole golf courses in the province, which serves as a social and commercial networking hub for the region's farming elite. For investors, Hankey represents a stable rural market with a high level of economic interdependency between its agricultural, governmental, and commercial sectors.