South Africa’s Mazeppa Bay connects Ukrainian Hetman Mazepa with new information sign

The Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA) took part in the unveiling of a new information sign in Mazeppa Bay, a scenic coastal area in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province to honor the legacy of Hetman Ivan Mazepa, one of Ukraine’s most influential historical leaders.

The ceremony, held on Sept. 1, saw local activists and government representatives attend the event.

“The sign links the schooner Mazeppa and Ukrainian Hetman Ivan Mazepa — a symbol of resilience and freedom. The word “Freedom” is inscribed on the Mazeppa Sign in all 11 SA languages and in Ukrainian,” UAZA said.

The project was carried out by the Ukrainian community in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in South Africa, The View Mazeppa Bay hotel, and the local community.

“It stands as a symbol of friendship, history, and the shared struggles for dignity and independence,” UASA said.

Mazeppa Bay is named after Ivan Mazepa (1639-1709), the Hetman of the Cossack state, who became a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance and independence in the early 18th century.

Mazepa was also a great patron of education and the Church, supporting the creation of numerous schools and churches in Ukraine. 

His contributions to education and religious life are a vital part of his legacy. Fluent in several languages, he was well-versed in European politics and literature, shaping his cultural outlook. 

His legacy was immortalized in European art and literature, most famously in Lord Byron’s 1819 poem Mazeppa.

French poet Francois-Marie Arouet Voltaire, in his “Historie de Charles XII (History of Charles XII), published in 1731, also included Mazepa as part of his account of the Swedish king’s campaigns against Russia. 

Voltaire depicted Mazepa as a Cossack leader who allied with Charles XII in hopes of freeing Ukraine from Russian domination. 

Though he never visited South Africa, Mazepa’s figure left a lasting mark on European culture. His romanticized image inspired many works of art, including Byron’s poem. It was this cultural influence that gave the bay its name.

Mazeppa Bay today is a scenic coastal destination in South Africa, known for its unspoiled beaches, dramatic landscapes, and an old suspension bridge that links the mainland to a small island.

“Mazeppa gave his name to steamboats, locomotives, fire engines and pubs. He became a Staffordshire pottery figure and a trademark and was emblazoned on snuff boxes. Byron’s yacht was christened Mazeppa,” UAZA said.

Read more about the history of the name here.