Mthatha River

Mthatha River ('mtathe Bawo)
Umtata River
close to where the Mthatha River meets the Indian Ocean
Name origin: Referring in the Xhosa language to the Sneeze-wood trees (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) growing on the banks of the river
Country	South Africa
Province	Eastern Cape Province
Source
- location	Baziya Range, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- elevation	1,500 m (4,921 ft)
Mouth	Indian Ocean
- location	Coffee Bay, South Africa
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
- coordinates	31°56′S 29°11′E / 31.933°S 29.183°E / -31.933; 29.183Coordinates: 31°56′S 29°11′E / 31.933°S 29.183°E / -31.933; 29.183
Length	250 km (155 mi)
Basin	2,600 km2 (1,004 sq mi)
Location of the Mthatha River mouth

Mthatha River or Umtata River (Xhosa: 'mtathe Bawo) is a river in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The river flows into the Indian Ocean in an estuary located near Coffee Bay. The Mthatha river flows in a southeastern direction and is approximately 250 km long with a catchment area of 2,600 km². It is named after Mthatha Town (Umtata).

Its main tributaries are the Ngqungqu River and the Cicira River.

The Mthatha River marks the southern limit of the Pondoland region.

Presently this river is part of the Mzimvubu to Keiskamma Water Management Area.