Despatch is a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa situated between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage with an estimated population of 40 000.

It forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality which includes Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, and has collectively a population of over 1.3 million.

Many older buildings in Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth were constructed using these bricks, which can be identified by the word 'Despatch' imprinted on the top and bottom.

This chimney, located in a field on the northern outskirts of town next to the railway lines, has recently been restored to its former glory, now featuring supports that give it the appearance of a space rocket.

[2] The township of Despatch was originally developed in 1942 to offer cheaper homing alternative for its fast growing neighbours of Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth.